2012 - The Year of Procurement for Local Government
The LGA President, Mayor Kym McHugh announced at the October 2011 Annual General Meeting that the year 2012 would be The Year of Procurement for Local Government.
In announcing the Year of Procurement, Mayor McHugh said, "because this area involves the transaction of millions of dollars, we have to demonstrate to our ratepayers and the State and Federal governments that the money they entrust to us is in safe hands".
The Year of Procurement will include a series of events, activities, surveys and model guidelines aimed at raising the profile of best procurement practices in the Local Government sector and improving the sector's "value for money" performance.
Activities throughout the year will focus on what Councils currently do well, what can be done better, providing a safer legal framework and common issues experienced during the procurement process.
All Councils were provided with an opportunity to participate in the SA LGA Local Government Procurement Review survey in late 2011 to thoroughly assess what is being done across the sector. Responses to this survey have provided the agenda for procurement activities in 2012 which are firmly linked to the LGA's Local Excellence Program.
A strategic procurement seminar for Council senior staff and procurement professionals will be held in March 2012 to further explore the issues raised in the sector survey. A procurement expo will also be held later in the year to examine tactical procurement opportunities and allow suppliers to exhibit their products and services to Local Government staff.
As part of the Year of Procurement, the LGA is developing a suite of best practice codes, policies and guidelines to help Councils achieve procurement excellence across the sector. This incredibly valuable and up-to-date resource, developed under the leadership of the Local Government Corporate Service, will be tailored to meet the different needs of all Councils. The LGA will also provide training and advice to Councils on the adoption and implementation of these documents throughout the Year of Procurement.
The LGA is very excited to be bringing two high value programs, Year of Procurement and Local Excellence, to Councils in 2012 in such an integrated and innovative manner and look forward to monitoring the benefits throughout the sector into the future.
For more information on the Year of Procurement events, please visit www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/yopevents.
For information on sponsoring a Year of Procurement event, please visit www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/sponsorship.
For more information on the Year of Procurement, please contact Andrew Haste, Director Member Services, on andrew.haste@lga.sa.gov.au or 08 8224 2073.
Year of Procurement Events & Courses
Further information about procurement events and courses is available from www.lga.sa.gov.au/yopevents.
Some of the events & courses coming up are:
Procurement, Contract Law and Probity Fundamentals 14 May 2012
This course will provide participants with an introduction to public sector procurement and contracting. It will also address the probity issues associated with procurement activities in the public sector context.
