Looking back at 2008 - an increase in procurement challenges

The last 12 months has seen an increasing level of successful procurement challenges.  The high profile cases of Lettings International Ltd v London Borough of Newham and Risk Management Partners Limited v London Borough of Brent have highlighted the increasing scrutiny that potential suppliers, and their lawyers, are subjecting procurement processes to.  This trend shows no sign of abating with a framework agreement awarded by the Northern Irish government recently being set aside in the High Court and a number of challenges from the general public to the appointment of sponsors of academy schools pending.

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Martin Smith, partner, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP:

Reports on the trial that lead to the death of Baby P shocked the nation.  If another child could die in terrible circumstances at the hands of its carers after Lord Laming’s inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie was supposed to have made things better, what was  the point of having a public inquiry at all?

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PLC Public Sector reports:

The Association of Council Secretaries & Solicitors’ recent two-day conference in Stratford-upon-Avon was a lively and well-attended event. 

John Benington, Emeritus Professor of Public Management and Policy at Warwick Business School gave an interesting and thought-provoking opening talk.  Quoting from “The Tempest”, “This isle is full of strange noises“, he spoke of the profound changes faced by local government in the context of environmental, political, economic, social, technological and organisational issues.

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