New trades plan to be scrapped after outcry
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Highland Council has scrapped its controversial new trades procurement framework following a widespread outcry from those affected by it.
The move has been welcomed by Sutherland councillors who have now urged the authority to come up with a “fair, transparent and fit for purpose” alternative.
But Cllr Deirdre Mackay, East Sutherland and Edderton, said serious questions needed to be asked about how the new system had got so far in the first place.
The planned new framework was supposed to go live on February 24 but was halted after a protest from tradespeople throughout the north.
In Sutherland the majority of contractors failed to make it onto the lists of preferred local authority suppliers - despite working for the council for decades.
An emergency meeting was held at which the trades warned that if the new framework went ahead, it would have massive job implications for Sutherland.
Following urgent talks between councillors and officials, it was agreed to look again at the issue.
And Highland Council issued a statement last Friday to say it had listened to the concerns raised and had now terminated the original framework and tender process.
It said: “A revised strategy will now be developed, with a view to bringing it forward for member approval in due course.”
A council spokesman added: “ Highland Council now intends to issue a new tender to market, based on an alternative set of procurement criteria and a change in the evaluation approach.
“This will incorporate the lessons learned by the local authority through the feedback received.”
Sutherland County Committee chairman Richard Gale said: “The original process was never fit for purpose and it is a pity that it was rolled out in the first place.
“We managed to get it stopped thanks to local tradespeople highlighting the problems about the framework to their councillors."
“What is important now is that any new procurement process is fair, inclusive and fit for purpose.”
Cllr Jim McGillivray, East Sutherland and Edderton said: “I am content that senior council management have listened to, and taken on board, the serious concerns expressed by Sutherland councillors.”
Cllr Deirdre Mackay said: “There are serious questions which need to be asked as to why the framework managed to get so far, given the fundamental flaws with the process. I am, however, pleased that the process has been stopped and we need now to be assured that whatever takes its place is fair, transparent and fit for purpose.”
North, west and Sutherland councillor Linda Munro said: “I very much welcome the decision to scrap the previous procurement process and seek a realistic solution to provide sustainable, quality trade services to our tenants, schools and care homes. This also has to happen in a way that fits with the council’s commitment to reduce our carbon footprint.”
