PLC Public Sector reports: 

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PLC Public Sector reports:

The National Audit Office (NAO) has published a number of reports recently on the use of PFI and value for money in public procurement generally.  Each of them contain a recurring message, public authorities need to keep a close eye on value for money on a project-by-project basis and not automatically pursue a particular procurement route (whether it be PFI or any other option) because they are told it is the correct thing to do or because they  assume it is the cheapest way of doing things.

With every new day seeming to bring fresh news that another project or, in some cases programme, has been axed, public authorities and their advisers need to learn the lessons set out in these NAO reports.

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PLC Public Sector reports: 

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David Hansom, Associate, Eversheds LLP:

Challenges to public procurement decisions have increased enormously over the last few years, and the tide shows no sign of slowing. Faced with fewer opportunities and more competition for those that remain, bidders have much greater awareness of their rights in procurement litigation and are increasingly not afraid to use them.

However, the case of J Varney & Sons Waste Management Limited v Hertfordshire County Council decided in the High Court on 16 June 2010 is a shift away from the recent run of pro-tenderer cases. 

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PLC Public Sector reports: 

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PLC Public Sector reports:

Local government has seen some impressive innovation over the last few years, with the aim of delivering more for less, or better for the same. The latest manifestation of this drive is the plethora of shared services arrangements either already established or in the pipeline.

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PLC Public Sector reports: 

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Daniel Greenberg, PLC consultant:

Our 16th March post before the election reported the House of Commons’ decision in principle to establish a new Select Committee to ensure, amongst other things, more effective scrutiny of legislation.

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PLC Public Sector reports:

Last week, London hosted the second Procurement Lawyers’ Association (PLA) event on evaluation.  The primary purpose of the event was to introduce the PLA evaluation working group’s paper on evaluating public sector tenders.  However, as with previous PLA events, attendees were spared what, at the end of a rather hot and muggy July afternoon, could have been a rather taxing lecture on the paper. Instead, attendees were asked to provide comments on a case study prepared by the event organisers with a view to highlighting the most interesting and contentious issues identified by the working group.

The event was well attended and posed some interesting questions, which were the subject of a considerable amount of debate among the attendees.

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