Policy frameworks

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This section sets out the policy frameworks within which procurement in Ipswich Borough Council is undertaken. Procurement has a key role to play in delivering Ipswich Borough Council's economic, social and environment objectives.

Climate Change Strategy - Greener procurement

Ipswich Borough Council has a vital role to play in furthering sustainable development through its procurement of buildings, goods, works and services.

The Council’s Executive Committee declared a Climate Emergency and resolved to start working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030. This resolution confirmed the Council’s continued commitment to achieving a reduction in carbon emissions from its own activities and delivering the aims of the Building A Better Ipswich 2017 Corporate Plan.

This plan extends to how goods and services within the Council are procured. A key part of the procurement process will be to evaluate contractors and suppliers on their own Climate Change Strategy and emission reduction targets such as:

1.         Energy performance of offices and workspaces

2.         Fleet and Business Mileage Emissions

3.         Sustainable Transport

4.         Mobile Plant, machinery and equipment

5.         Working Practices, Behaviours, Mitigation, Offsetting and Enabling

Sustainable procurement refers to all Policy Through Procurement issues, where public procurement is seen as a lever to achieve wider environmental, social and economic policy objectives.

Social value in procurement

Social value is about getting more value out of the money we spend.

We believe that by identifying social, economic and environmental opportunities related to contract delivery social value can be delivered as part of core delivery, alongside cost savings and contributing to our corporate priorities.

Buying locally

There are social, economic and environmental benefits to procuring our goods, services and works from local suppliers, where possible. These include reducing the carbon footprint of our trading and helping to ensure that more of the money we spend remains within the local community and contributes towards Ipswich being a prosperous town.

Officers are encouraged to ensure that the tender/quote process for opportunities is open and available for local businesses.

Diversity and Equalities

The Council conducts its procurement in accordance with the relevant equality and diversity legislation and expects compliance with all relevant legislative requirements from its service providers. Where relevant our specifications and contract terms may include specific provisions for equality and diversity and we encourage a wide range of providers to tender for our contracts.

Details of the Council's Equality and Diversity Policies.

Living Wage

The Council holds the Living Wage Employer Mark from the Living Wage Foundation and pays the real Living Wage to all directly employed staff.

Part of our accreditation requires all staff over the age of 18 that work regularly on Council premises to be paid the Living Wage as defined by the Living Wage Foundation.

All directly employed, contracted or sub-contracted staff (aged 18 or over) directly involved in the delivery of contracts must be paid the real Living Wage by the successful Tenderer as defined by the Living Wage Foundation throughout the life of any contract.

Modern Slavery Statement and Blacklisting

The Council recognises its responsibilities under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA) and is fully committed to taking a robust approach in the prevention of slavery and human trafficking in its corporate activities and to ensuring that its supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking.

The Council has a zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking and is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business and will work with partners and other organisations to ensure that any instances within the Borough of Ipswich are rooted out and dealt with. This will include working with the local police and providing extra training for our front-line staff and empowering them to report any instances they come across in their professional dealings with local businesses and the community that they become suspicious of, through a clear and easy to use reporting procedure.

With regards to blacklisting this is prohibited and will not be tolerated by the Council. The Council regards this behaviour or practice unacceptable including (but not limited to) the blacklisting of trade union members. 

If bidders are identified as not observing the Councils statement on Modern Slavery and or are found to be blacklisting, then they will automatically be excluded from the relevant procurement process.

If any contract has been entered into as a result a procurement, then the contract will be terminated, and any costs incurred by the Council will be recoverable from the bidder.

Health and Safety

The Council complies with all legislative requirements to provide a safe working environment and to ensure its services are delivered in such a way as to promote the safety of staff and service users.

The successful Tenderer will be expected as a minimum to comply with all relevant Health and Safety legislation. 

Contact Details

Ipswich Borough Council,
Finance and Procurement,
1C Grafton House,
15-17 Russell Road,
Ipswich,
IP1 2DE

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01473 433903