18 February 2005
Performance indicators to help local authorities improve procurement practices and meet their Gershon savings targets have been published by the Improvement and Development Agency.
The indicators, which are being sent out to all council heads of procurement this week, are the first national standard for assessing local government's management of its buying activities.
The aim is for councils to use the indicators to benchmark their current performance and to identify necessary improvements. The IDA hopes the measures will also reveal the high-performing authorities, which can then share their expertise.
The indicators have been released as the Gershon efficiency agenda has thrown the spotlight on councils' procurement skills.
Vicki Goddard, performance information manager at the IDA, said the indicators would give councils the data and tools necessary to boost their performance.
'They will allow authorities to benchmark their performance, develop targets that are relevant to them and continually monitor how they are doing.'
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