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The Public Procurement (International Trade Agreements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
Changes have been made to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) which will come into effect on Thursday 25 May. These changes have been introduced following the signature of two free-trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand. The changes are made under The Public Procurement (International Trade Agreements) (Amendment) Regulations 2023, the changes do not apply to devolved Welsh authorities.
The three key changes are:
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valuation of contracts – if you are unable to value a contract then it now will be deemed to be valued at the relevant threshold to trigger compliance with the PCR
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Prior Information Notices (PIN) – it will no longer be possible to use a PIN as a call for competition (this applies to all procurements including those that are procured under the 'light touch regime')
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termination of contracts – a new requirement has been added to the PCR which states that contracts cannot be terminated in a way that circumvents the procurement rules under the PCR (parts 1 and 2) – this change will introduce a specific requirement to ensure compliance with procurement rules when looking at contract termination; and councils should ensure their record-keeping of decisions around termination to reflect this.
The Cabinet Office will issue a Procurement Policy Note (PPN) next week, which will share with you.
Energy-saving schemes falling short
New analysis in our report Green heat – achieving heat and buildings decarbonisation by 2050 found that the failure to match installation levels of 2013 in the following years has cost households £2 billion in lost lifetime bill savings. The report calls for accelerated action to rapidly retrofit all social and fuel poor homes, it also proposes to focus on tackling fuel poverty as the foundation for cutting emissions across all homes and buildings, as well as promoting health and tackling the cost of living.
Research shows that locally-led approaches to tackling climate change will cost three times less and deliver twice the financial returns than a nationally controlled approach. Find out more about the Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) energy efficiency scheme.
Accelerating decarbonisation through public procurement book your place at our free virtual event
The new 'transforming public procurement' legislation will place greater emphasis on how public money spent through procurement must support government priorities – which includes tackling climate change. There has never been a better time to take action on the major sources of emissions, to include carbon-reducing measures in our major contracts, and work with our suppliers to ensure we deliver on these targets.
Our virtual event on Thursday 25 May (10.00am–11.30am) will:
- showcase examples of decarbonisation projects and collaborations
- support councils to identify the toolkits and resources at your disposal
- share good practice from across the local government sector in the high carbon emitting areas we work in, notably, construction, transport, housing (retrofit) and energy management.
Regional energy systems
Regen has published a new research report outlining local authority perspectives on Planning the regional energy system to support local delivery of net zero. The report looks at how regional energy system planning could integrate with local authorities’ broader net zero leadership roles. They interviewed 13 local authorities and found that councils would like to see a collaborative partnership approach to region energy system planning and that the boundaries for the regional system plans should align with political boundaries.
Modern slavery update
The anti-slavery charity Unseen has published its modern slavery and exploitation helpline data for 2022. Figures show that the number of potential victims of modern slavery in the UK more than doubled to record levels last year. There has been a particularly sharp increase in alleged exploitation in the care sector. The University of Nottingham's Rights Lab is working with three councils and ADASS directors to develop a modern slavery risk assessment and due diligence resources for adult social care which will be ready later in the year.
We have set up a Council Modern Slavery Network. Meetings are held quarterly via MS Teams and offer an informal space for council officers leading on anti-slavery work within their council to share good practice and discuss any issues. If your council’s modern slavery lead would like to join the network, please email jade.hall@local.gov.uk
Integrated care strategies (ICS)
The NHS Confederation has worked in partnership with the LGA, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to produce a summary 'snapshot' of the integrated care strategies (ICS) developed by integrated care partnerships. It provides an overview of the themes emerging from the first iterations of the integrated care strategy and provides a useful reference point for council leaders involved in ICS. It helps leaders to understand what other systems have included in their strategies and how they have approached them. Access NHS Confederation's guidance on integrated care strategies, health and wellbeing boards and joint forward plans.
Homes England strategic plan 2023 to 2028
Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, has recently launched its Homes England strategic plan 2023 to 2028. The plan sets out how Homes England .
The updated plan sets out how the agency:
- will deliver more, good quality, affordable homes alongside the regeneration of towns and cities across England
- can deliver a revitalised built environment
- plans to work with councils and other organisations in the housing and regeneration sector
- commits to working in a more ‘place-based’ manner.
Homes England’s wider objectives include delivering mixed-use regeneration with a brownfield-first approach, minimising the environmental impact of homes, and promoting building safety working in partnership with local leaders.
techUK Local Public Services Innovation Summit
Wednesday 24 May | 10 St Bride Street, London, EC4A 4AD
Accelerating decarbonisation through public procurement
Thursday 25 May, 10.00am–11.30am | Virtual event (Zoom)
Achieving More for Less
Thursday 25 May, 1.30pm–2.30pm | Virtual event
Procurex National Conference
Thursday 1 June | Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC), North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT
Towards a Social Value Economy – The Social Value Conference
Tuesday 13–Wednesday 14 June | Church House, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3AZ | In-person and virtual event
The Children's Services Commissioners' Conference
Wednesday 28–Thursday 29 June | The Hayes Conference Centre, Hayes Lane, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 1AU
The LGA Procurement team manages several LGA webpages dedicated to your needs. Please email guy.head@local.gov.uk if you would like any information added to our webpages:
The LGA's membership magazine, 'first', is delivered free each month to just under 17,000 councillors and local authority chief executives. Access first online to browse all news articles, features and opinion pieces, including those from past issues.
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