§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local government and the Regions what progress has been made by the taskforce on local government procurement announced in July 2000. [1457]
§ Mr. RaynsfordIn July last year the Government announced the establishment of a joint DETR/Local Government Association taskforce to review procurement in local government in the light of the requirements of best value. This Government have given a clear commitment to improving public services and procurement lies at the heart of better services for local people.
The taskforce has completed its work and its report, "Delivering Better Services for Citizens", is being published today. Copies of the report have been placed in the House Libraries.
I am grateful for the thorough manner in which Sir Ian Byatt, the chairman, and the members of the taskforce have conducted this review. The report provides a challenging analysis of current procurement practice and makes a number of recommendations for change. It is an important contribution to the debate on the modernisation of local government and the provision of high quality services to local people.
The DTLR and the LGA have agreed to consult jointly on the report. I intend to provide a detailed response to its findings in the autumn, together with an action plan for implementation.