Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 25, 2026

Purpose:

Content: 8.1 The Head of Procurement introduced the report which presented a revised Ethical Procurement Policy for the Council to adopt, with monitoring and annual reporting to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with the Council’s strategic goals.     8.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Finance and Performance Policy Committee:-   a)    adopt the Ethical Procurement Policy document for implementation b)    endorse the approach of reporting progress to the Council’s Performance and Delivery Board and providing an annual report to this committee     8.3 Reasons for Decision     8.3.1 To provide oversight and endorsement of the Ethical Procurement Strategy for implementation and seek agreement on the approach of reporting progress to the Council’s Performance and Delivery Board and providing an annual report to this committee.     8.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     8.4.1 Continue with current Policy   This is not an option as the Council’s current Ethical Procurement Policy has been in place several years and since its adoption a number of corporate and legislative changes have taken place which the updated policy reflects, these include:   ·       The Council Plan 2024-28, City Goals and Council’s Decarbonisation route map ·       The Diverse Business Board established (following a recommendation from the Race Equality Commission report (July 2022). ·       Enactment of the Procurement Act 2023 (February 2025). The revised National Procurement Policy Statement ((NPPS) February 2025) published by the government, to which local authorities must have regard.     8.4.2 Have no Ethical Procurement Policy in place   This is not desirable as the Council wishes to have a published Policy on its own commitments and expectation of its supply base when spending with and/or investing monies in external organisations.