Solihull Council
Solihull Council is the local governing body for the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, located in the West Midlands, England. The council consists of 51 councillors who are elected by the local community. Councillors determine matters of policy on behalf of the local community and make key decisions, such as the annual budget and Council Tax.
The Challenge:
Procure4 was tasked with helping Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council achieve cashable savings to fund a new shared services infrastructure by controlling spending and reducing low-value transactions.
The Solution:
Procure4 analysed spending across various categories, developed tailored strategies, and implemented an auditable savings process with eProcurement tools for clear benefits tracking at Solihull Council
The Results:
Over two years, Procure4 helped Solihull Council achieve over £2 million in savings, along with significant efficiency gains. The project also led to improvements in team training, processes, management information, stakeholder engagement, and supplier relationships.
“Through a one team approach with our private sector partner, Procure4, we have developed a three year plan for savings delivery. Procure4 has helped to create the appropriate framework for procurement to be raised to a strategic level. Savings have started to be delivered and the mechanisms are in place to ensure delivery against our three
year plan.”
-Liz Welton, Corporate Procurement Manager
Solihull Council
Preview
Solihull Council is the governing body responsible for delivering essential public services and fostering community development in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, West Midlands
Challenge
Over a two year period in 2005/6, Procure4 was asked to work with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) to achieve cashable savings which would help with investment in a new shared services infrastructure. The Council knew it had to gain control of spending and reduce the high number of low value transactions.
Approach
Procure4 analysed the spend data and current processes across a number of categories including temporary labour, telecoms, strategic highways, print, stationery/office supplies, property services, adaptation works, books and ICT.
Approach strategies were evolved for each category, including use of eProcurement tools and traditional tender.
A fully auditable savings process was implemented and enabled clear benefits tracking within the Council.
Result
In year 1, >£1m collectable savings with significant other cashable and non-cashable efficiency gains were delivered. In the second year, a further £1m was delivered. Other broad qualitative improvements were also identified:
Team training
Process & procedure development
Departmental marketing
Departmental marketing
Management information improvements
Stakeholder management processes
Data analysis and cleansing
Stakeholder and supplier satisfaction surveys
Supplier day with over 100 suppliers
SMBC was awarded the Society of Procurement Officers (SOPO) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Procurement 2005. The profile of the procurement function within the Council has been raised significantly.
The tangible savings have enabled budgets to be re-assessed and have freed up resources for use on back office systems which will support front-line services. Council staff have received training and gained new skills that will help to ensure long-term sustainability of procurement benefits.
Testimonial from Solihull Council
“Through a one team approach with our private sector partner, Procure4, we have developed a three year plan for savings delivery. Procure4 has helped to create the appropriate framework for procurement to be raised to a strategic level. Savings have started to be delivered and the mechanisms are in place to ensure delivery against our three year plan.”
Liz Welton
Corporate Procurement Manager
Tagged as: Case Study
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