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Established 2002 - Now in our 23rd Year
News and Views Preview:
A word from Peter Bird, proprietor at Primary Business Support
This year, 2025, is the year that the Procurement Act 2023 finally comes into effect, following the deferment of the start date from October 2024. For those working in the public sector who manage procurement and/or contract management things will change when the legislation comes in force on 24th February 2025.
The new act is the first major review of public sector procurement since the UK left the EU and it utilises the new freedoms open to the UK government.
In addition to training by commercial providers, training for those involved have been provided to public sector organisations by the Crown Commercial Services over the last year and so it is hoped that all those involved in procurement and contract management are aware of their new responsibilities.
Special provisions are in place for procurements that straddle the live date and these can be found in the regulations*.
Our experience and specialism in contract management, drafting specifications, procurement and all the elements associated with these issues, such as leaseholder consultation under S20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, puts us in an ideal position to support your organisation through this time of change, and opportunity.
Our recent work
The last year has seen us working with clients in the procurement and management of contracts. Our forensic approach to assisting social housing organisations, both housing associations and local authorities, has provided clients with the knowledge to understand and manage their existing contracts, and their approach to new contracts.
The work has included specifying client needs in readiness for the procurement of new contractors through open, restricted and framework routes. Where service charges are involved we have worked through the S20 Consultation requirements to ensure clients are compliant with their statutory requirements, and charges can be legitimately recovered
We have devised and delivered procurement training, acted as mentor to client staff, and undertaken skills transfer to enable clients to better manage their needs internally.
We can help you to procure and manage your contracts to ensure appropriate specification, contract management and procurement processes. Give us a call to see how we can help your organisation through these changing times.
You contact us by telephone or email and we can meet through Teams or Zoom.
Peter Bird FCIH FCMI
* the regulations relating to the transition arrangements from the Public Contract Regulations 2015 to the Procurement Act 2023 are the snappily named Procurement Act (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional and Saving) Regulations 2024 and the The Procurement Act 2023 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (see link to Cabinet Office guidance).
About Primary Business Support
PBS is a small social housing consultancy able to offer you a personal service tailored to your needs. With over 25 years working for local authorities and housing associations and over twenty years working as a social housing consultant I am able to provide you with bespoke consultancy and project management. A network of like-minded independent consultants also enables me to work collaboratively to extend the services that I can offer you.
Client Comment:
PBS are very thorough, reliable and knowledgeable in all guidance and support given. We received regular updates throughout the project, Peter was available to contact to answer any questions and his advice was invaluable.
Kathryn Harrison, Resident Services Director, English Rural Housing Association, July 2022, following a successful contract appointment for gas servicing under an existing framework agreement.
Remote working
Thanks to our investment in technology we are able to provide consultancy services through the use of conference calls, video calls, file sharing and, of course, telephone calls and email. We use email or Microsoft Teams for the exchange and sharing of documents and other files and use Teams or Zoom for on-line conferencing, depending on the client's preference.
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