Report of the Assistant Director Resources/Treasurer

The Fire Authority considered the report of the Assistant Director Resources/Treasurer (ADR/T) presenting Members with the refreshed Procurement Strategy for the Period 2022-2025.  The refreshed strategy did not represent a significant departure from the current approach, but reflected a change in emphasis, highlighting less the need to change ways of working and more the need to continue to deliver against established themes.  The continued progression of Procurement as a strategic function and deployment of this strategy, means that the limited professional resources can be focused on the vital value adding activities, driving savings and efficiencies.  With continued pressure on budgets and reductions in funding it was more important than ever that the Authority’s Procurement Strategy delivered cost effective services that met the needs of the community. 

There was a concern from Members that there was not enough focus being paid to sustainable procurement, considering the significant targets for carbon neutrality set by government and that there was an expectation that environmental sustainability would be a larger driving force in terms of procurement.  The ADR/T responded that this report was relating to the overarching strategy, which was to provide context, and reminded Members that they had approved the responsible procurement policy which set out the Authority’s commitment to considering factors such as climate change in its procurement decisions.  The ability of the Service to make any significant impact would depend on the specific items purchased, but it was known that 80% of its carbon footprint was equally split between buildings and heavy fleet which were both challenging to address.  It was noted that on current advice it was anticipated that to make the Service carbon neutral would cost in excess of £20m.  This would be presented to the Authority in detail in the paper to be presented at a future meeting.

The CFO added that whilst there was work being led by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) into reduced prices for Electric (EV) appliances, the most significant way to reduce carbon emissions in the sector was to reduce fires and to mandate sprinklers.  These would alleviate carbon impacts in a far greater way than focusing on fleet.  Members’ support in lobbying for these would be appreciated.  Some Members felt that the focus on EV appliances was a distraction and that there needed to be more fundamental changes and collective working to address carbon neutrality.  The general feeling of Members was that there was no disagreement that sustainability was an essential focus for the Authority and that the concerns raised were shared by all, but it must be remembered that this was a live procurement document which itself referred to the need to adapt as the corporate position developed, particularly in response to climate change. 

There was a request from Members for more information to be provided on how the Service would fulfil its commitment to support the local economy and diverse suppliers.  The ADR/T confirmed that this was still early days as the Responsible Procurement Policy had only recently been approved but that an update would be provided to the Scrutiny & Audit Panel on progress in this area.

RESOLVED – The Fire Authority agreed to:

      i.        approve the Procurement Strategy 2022-25; and

     ii.        provide an update to the Scrutiny & Audit Panel on progress in the Services commitment to support the local economy and diverse suppliers.