Byatt Report - London Borough of Hillingdon

Annex II
The Byatt Review
The review was published in June 2001. It highlights the key position of procurement in
providing high quality public services to local people, with a focus on commissioning
outcomes from a community perspective.
To achieve this, the taskforce addressed broad issues across local government and made 39
recommendations in line with best practice. These recommendations have been widely
supported across the board: consultation indicates that local authorities, public bodies,
professional organisations, trade unions, voluntary groups, and industry broadly welcome
the practical approach that underpins the recommendations.
White Paper – Capacity Building
Since publication of the Byatt review, the Government has announced its intention to
publish a White Paper on Local Government and undertake a short review of best value.
The White Paper on Local Government will reflect the Government’s commitment to
reforming public services. The conditions will be created for authorities to drive up
standards through greater freedoms and enhanced local democracy. This will further
empower local authorities to be confident and effective in leading their communities.
As part of this, the White Paper will explain the way in which capacity issues in local
government are to be addressed as part of the 2002 Spending Review, and in particular
Byatt’s concern for the quality of commissioning and procurement skills. The White Paper
will be followed by a detailed response to the Byatt review of local government
procurement in England.
Current Actions
In the meantime, central and local government are working together on various projects to
advance good procurement practice. These include:
(i)
(ii)
Government is providing £25m of funding for an e-government pathfinder
programme. As part of this, 3 local authorities are carrying out pioneering work on
e-procurement: Huntingdonshire District Council is building a fully replicable e-
procurement model for local authorities; Leeds City Council is following a three
year strategy for the development and implementation of e-procurement; and
London Borough of Newham is developing e-payment and e-procurement and an
interface into back office accounting systems. The pathfinders have a requirement to
disseminate their learning and information.
The drive to develop e-governance is encouraging joint-working amongst local
authorities. Evidence from authorities’ Implementing Electronic Government
statements submitted in July suggest that 90% of councils are planning to deliver e-
government in partnership with other local authorities, and 60% plan to work with
private sector partners.
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