YPO, the UK’s largest public sector buying organisation, has teamed up with iNetwork, which provides support to public service organisations across the North West, to jointly deliver the newly created Connected Procurement Programme.
Established as a means by which local public services can innovate and improve collectively, the partnership will allow iNetwork’s members to benefit from YPO’s extensive public sector buying expertise.
The Connected Procurement Programme will help the public sector in the North West deliver innovative, high quality and cost effective services to its customers and communities. It will further encourage the public sector to collaborate and share ideas to deliver efficiencies within the local community.
With effective procurement remaining vital to local public service organisations in light of recent budget cuts, the joint collaboration between YPO and iNetwork will project a stronger voice in the region and re-energise the North West procurement network. There is growth potential for both organisations as they begin to work together to represent their public service members more effectively.
Connected Procurement will engage with Cabinet Office, Crown Commercial Service, local government, and the LGA National Advisory Group, and has established a number of key priorities:
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Ensure social value is delivered in contracts
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Counteract loss of skills and resources
- Balance local economic development
- Understand the impact of the new EU regulations on social care in particular
- Adhere to the new code of practice on transparency
- Promote collaboration opportunities with YPO
- Reprocure the North West procurement portal
- Give SpendPro updates and opportunities
The full and varied programme will engage local government groups and deliver Connected Procurement events, network leadership group meetings and a procurement newsletter.
Simon Hill, Managing Director at YPO, says: “We are delighted to team up with iNetwork to help public sector organisations in the North West benefit from smarter procurement. Our plan is that the new Connected Procurement Programme will enable further collaboration amongst local authorities and will also provide invaluable links to wider networks and commissioning groups. We look forward to working with iNetwork’s members to ensure cost-savings and efficiencies for the public sector.”
Phil Swan, Partnership Director at iNetwork, says: “iNetwork’s unique public sector partnership of over one hundred organisations helps local public sector officers and managers openly engage and share ideas. Joint delivery of the Connected Procurement Programme with YPO allows us to add further value, provide support and guidance, and encourage members to share ideas and information. YPO’s expertise can only enhance our offer and strengthen our commitment to help members collaborate more effectively.”
The announcement follows a series of training workshops that YPO has recently delivered in the North West which have outlined how to implement the 2014 EU Procurement Directives on behalf of Crown Commercial Service.
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