Brent Council is embarking on a significant overhaul of its procurement processes, prompted by a recent review that pinpointed key areas needing improvement. The initiative is geared towards achieving better value for money, streamlining expenditure, and cultivating a culture of innovation throughout the council.
The Audit and Standards Advisory Committee received an update on the Procurement Review and the establishment of a Procurement Improvement Programme (PIP) at its meeting on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. The review, which took place between January and April 2025, identified both strengths and weaknesses in the council's existing procurement practices. The Procurement Improvement Programme (PIP) has several core workstreams covering the following themes: Directorate engagement, governance and compliance; Contract management; Strategy and policy; Staff development, culture and capability; Procurement operational excellence. The improvements will be phased to be delivered over an 18-24 month period.
Key Recommendations
The review put forward several key recommendations, including:
- Culture Reset: Adopting a more proactive and commercial approach, supported by a new approach to staff learning and development that nurtures and retains a wider and necessary skill set. A draft training and development offer for procurement and contract management has been developed as part of the PIP.
- Addressing Non-Compliance: Clarifying expectations, responsibilities, and accountabilities between Procurement, directorates, and other support services to address non-compliant activity within directorates.
- Improving Relationships: Strengthening governance between Procurement and service areas.
- Refreshing Contract Register: Evaluating a more robust approach to data management.
- Updating Strategy and Policy: Reflecting current needs in the Council's Procurement Strategy and Social Value Policy.
- Clarifying Responsibilities: Ensuring supplier accountability across all social value activities.
To address these recommendations, a Procurement Improvement Programme (PIP) has been established, encompassing workstreams focused on directorate engagement, contract management, strategy and policy, staff development, and operational excellence. The PIP has received endorsement from the Corporate Management Team and the Policy Coordination Group.
The council aims to phase in the improvements over an 18-24 month period. Initial steps include securing resources, communicating with staff, and prioritising activities. Subsequent phases will focus on stabilising processes, implementing improvements, and embedding new practices.
The Director of Strategic Commissioning, Capacity Building and Engagement will serve as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the PIP. A new Commissioning, Procurement and Contract Management Assurance Board (CPCMAB) has been established to provide scrutiny and assurance, operating with both officer and member-officer meetings. Regular updates will also be provided through Lead Member Briefings.
According to the Procurement Review Update report, good progress has already been made, including the establishment of the CPCMAB, drafting project delivery plans, and developing new recruitment strategies for the Procurement Service.
