I don’t often write much about Sandwell Council on here, but one of the things that has been bugging me for the last few years has been the Council’s procurement policies.
I suspect, as with most local authorities, Sandwell has been left with the scars of Thatcher’s compulsory competitive tendering regime. Old habits die hard, and the notion that you should look primarily for the cheapest tender when procuring goods and services has been burned on to the hearts and brains of local government procurement officers. Even in the days when quality or environmental factors can be taken in to consideration, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that they are guided by two overriding principles; can the contractor do they job in the timescales required, and how cheap are they.
Our problem in the Black Country is that despite the fact that we still actually manufacture quite a lot of things to a very high standard, the tenders are not always the lowest. And when the bids are open there is very little scope, even taking into consideration all of the ‘green’ issues, to let tenders locally to help stimulate the local economy. This leads to a ludicrous situation where, within EU procurement rules, we end up purchasing renewal windows for council flats from Sweden, when a local company down the road can supply them at a slightly higher cost and of a similar quality.
As a consequence, our glazing company ends up laying people off, and the Council ends up dealing with unemployed families claiming rent and rate rebates, and with all the other social costs of unemployment. Every attempt we make to weight factors to enable local businesses to compete favourably is met with much tutting and raising of eyebrows, and muttered remarks about ‘OJEU notices’ and ‘EU rules’
So I cautiously welcome this piece about a Private Member’s Bill by Conservative MP Chris White which will allow social factors to be taken into consideration in the procurement process. Although on the surface White’s Bill may have the intention of opening up competition to social enterprises, it may also have the effect of allowing local authorities to do more about local procurement.
It would be great if that could happen, but I suspect if there is any prospect of it happening then, like that giant foot in the Monty Python cartoon, the monolith of EU competition will descend upon it and squash the life out of it.
This sort of thing appears to be doing the rounds Bob at the moment.
Carbon emissions is a classic.
A Stoke pottery Company producing high volumes of goods is penalised by carbon emission targets and so costs go sky high.
A rival Chinese Comapny exporting the same goods into England suffers no carbon emission penalty.
The result is further English unemployment as the Company cuts back into a profit while the Chinese Company expands pumping out mass pollution.
UK Companies want to see a tarrif on imported Carbon emissions that give rivals the edge.
Oddly enough, import taxes are proven to stifle world wide trade and frustrate growth.
this kind of thing Bob is why I am increasing questioning our participation in the EU
competition is fine in many ways but if a council wishes to support a local business it should do regardless of EU rules
Now think about this, if the tories get their full way on the NHS EU competition rules will blast our local suppliers apart within the NHS which is currently protected.
It is why Cameron would never call for a pullout of the EU, it benefits their supporters too much
Absolutely spot on Ian, and that is exactly why they are adamant that EU competition rules will apply to the NHS. The EU is a capitalist charter, throwing sweeties to children to make them think it is delivering social benefits.
A Capitalist charter?
You mean a marketplace where one person sells to another for a profit?
and the alternative is to end that market or not be in that market?
as always, then what?
I mean a marketplace run in the interests of those who own the means of production, distribution and exchange as opposed to those who produce the wealth. Probably what you would call a 1980′s view but which I think you will find is much more rooted in the nineteenth century.
Bob, remember ‘common purpose’ (freemasonary etc….) and it’s creeping fortune within local Government?
How many successful tenders (handshake/envelope) have been won by ‘common purpose’ trained companies in Sandwell?
Who awarded the contracts and what training has he/she undertaken on behalf of Sandwell Council?
Get treatment Gary, before it’s too late.
You’re suffering from Post-traumatic non-selection disorder.
Who gave the order to shoot the innocent Charles De Menezes (shot 5 times in the head)?
Which group of people rallied to the not guilty at all defence?
If Sandewll isn’t riddled with CP it will be unique.
Dig deeper into any story with a winning collective against the majority and you will find CP written all over it.
Hey, don’t forget the Twin Towers, I think that was the Saudi chapter of Common Purpose, wasn’t it? And didn’t they fake the moon landings? I think Elvis is still a member too!
Cressida Dick is a senior Police Officer (CP) who authorised a policy which ended a life.
Did Parliament approve?
Why buys all NHS materials? anyone in CP?
Who purchases everything for the EU? someone in CP?
A Tory invention aimed at those that get in the way and to bring about change without a majority.
Find secrecy and you’ll find common purpose directing that secrecy.
It’s a simple question Bob, how many ouncillors and Officers in Sandwell are CP? Any links to dodgy procurement?
Guess who put our (soon to be arrested-again) bunch of jokers through CP (what a coincidence) and let them back in to run our City?
(Clue: Someone in Sandwell).
Nuuuuurrrsse!!!
I thought this might be music to your ears Bob.
To put the Leader of Sandwell Council through CP would cost the Sandwell tax payer £37,500.
You will not find this on any accounts or balance sheet at the end of the year.
In fact, you will not find any Officer CP training on an accounts sheet.
So you Bob have no idea who is CP or not and who is issuing procurment on behalf of whom.
Follow the trail of who issues tenders, who wins them and you’ll find a CP trail.
Only a freedom of information act will gather all the clues.
Gary, you are unbalanced. I wouldn’t have expected a single failure you be selected could possibly send someone so far over the edge. Shame.
Write a letter to your local newspaper about possible links to CP and procurement practices in any area you like.
NHS, Military, local Government, Schools..etc..
If it sees the light of day, be confident that your local newspaper has not undergobe CP training.
If unpublished………….
Gary, write to your local newspaper. Tell them there are little green men living in your garden shed and threatening the world with nuclear weapons. If they don’t print it, THEN you will know that the editor is in fact a little green man…
Or you will realise that he knows you are fucking barmy!
Bob, I’m sure that people are intrigued to know, but the obvious question must be asked of you.
Have you undergone CP training? You do seem to be very protective around this subject.
Common Purpose: “The virus that has infected local Government”.
Bob, any ideas on why CP has been introduced or why you would not be selected to join this secret club?
Yes, me and the little green men down the bottom of the garden… We’re all full trained operatives Gary.