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Procurement  >  Procurement Procedures

PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES

Click any link on the left-hand side of this page for further information.

 

Code of Ethics

 All procurement activities must be undertaken in accordance with Centro's Codes of Conduct:

  • All staff and members will adhere to Centro's standard working practices when undertaking their daily activities.  The Code will be regarded as "Best Practice" in the purchasing and supply activity.
  • All staff and members will adhere to EU public procurement legislation and all related remedies when undertaking any procurement of goods, services or works with the advisement of the Procurement team where applicable.
  • All Centro staff and members must raise any matter of concern of an ethical nature with their immediate supervisor or a member of the Procurement team or another senior colleague if appropriate, irrespective of whether it is explicitly addressed in"Centro's Code of Conduct".

Sustainable Procurement

Centro recognises the importance of sustainable procurement in supporting the wider sustainable development agenda and similarly in delivering best value for the organisation. In support of this Centro has been working to improve sustainable procurement practice over a number of years and our sustainable procurement strategy and action plan provides a clear focus for our activity in this area for the future.

 

Sustainable development means achieving four objectives at the same time: -

  • Effective protection of the environment 
  • Prudent use of natural resources
  • Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone 
  • Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment

Environmental procurement, in support of these objectives, is therefore an important component of sustainable procurement and a contributor to the long-term goal of sustainable development. There is considerable scope to consider environmental issues in procurement, within the context of achieving value for money.

 

Centro purchases a range of goods and services to fulfil its role. The overall aim is to ensure that goods, services, works and utilities procured by Centro are designed, manufactured, delivered, used and managed at end-of-life in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

This will assist in: -

 

  • identifying opportunity for greater efficiency in the supply chain
  • identifying opportunity for greater efficiency in the organisation
  • stimulating innovation in the supply chain to deliver viable sustainable options for both goods and services
  • meeting stakeholder expectations and maintaining trust
  • reducing sustainability risks posed to the organisation through the practices of supply chain partners, the sourcing of materials and design of goods
  • providing a consistent framework of policies and practices for sustainable procurement across the various procurement organisations within the organisation.

 

Centro's Procurement Strategy (2009-12),establishes sustainable purchasing objectives including thef ollowing key priorities:

 

  • To develop and implement policies, strategies and actions that supports the achievement of sustainable development
  • To introduce relevant sustainability clauses into procedures, and terms and conditions of contract as appropriate
  • To ensure that contract specifications utilise quick wins and meet minimum government standards, for example sustainable timber, recycled paper and green energy
  • To ensure that sustainability performance is measured as part of the management process
  • To develop and initiate a supplier recognition programme structured to directly identify achievement and contribution from suppliers to sustainable development in Centro
  • To explore the development of an ethical code of practice for adoption throughout supply chains.  Progress will be evaluated and reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the Procurement Strategy continues to meet its objectives and remains pertinent.
  • Incorporate 'green' sustainable procurement aspirations into the new Procurement Strategy.
  • Deliver the sustainability objectives outlined in the Procurement Strategy (2009-12).

Procurement can make a significant contribution to any policy goals of sustainable development and resource minimisation by ensuring that supplier, contractors and the goods and services bought achieve optimum environmental performance and promote environmental and social awareness in the wider market place through its supply chain community.

 

Equalities

Click on the left-hand link to view the equalities policy.  Also below are links to a guide for contractors and suppliers as well as the questionnaire for which it is attached.

 

Equalities Questionnaire (use in conjunction with the equalities guide for contractors and suppliers)

Equalities - A Guide for Contractors and Suppliers