Inside Housing – Home – Key details of Procurement Act still missing as sector welcomes delay to law

The government announced last month that it would write to all the companies found to have contributed to failings that caused the Grenfell Tower fire and prevent them from being awarded government contracts in future.
Clare Tetlow, senior procurement manager at Procure Plus, said the announced delay was not “a complete surprise” due to the new government and “the renewed focus on the ability of companies whose names are associated with injustice and tragedy to be continually awarded public contracts”.
“It will be interesting to see how the new government and the delayed implementation will result in further changes in how public procurement can contribute to value for money, accountability and societal good,” she added.
Contracting authorities, including social housing providers, will also have more flexibility over how they negotiate contract terms.
The social housing sector has broadly welcomed the postponement. Peter Francis, group executive director of operations at Fusion21, said the delay “offers a valuable few extra months for organisations to refine their processes and prepare for the changes ahead”.
“We would encourage organisations to use this time to prepare, plan and ensure processes are efficient and ready for the new regulations,” he said.
Mr Francis added that “while the new act will fundamentally transform how the public sector purchases goods and services, it is not something to fear”.
John Wallace, director of procurement at Clarion Housing Group, said: “Housing association procurement leads have worked hard to prepare for the new act.
“The short delay will ensure the cabinet office’s central digital platform can be completed and fully tested while the registration of contracting authorities and suppliers on to the system can be commenced.”
Guy Stapleford, head of consultancy services at Procurement for Housing, advised the sector to use the extra time to test new systems and processes.
He said: “There will be many colleagues across your housing organisation with new responsibilities around managing contracts and transparency. Use these few additional months to check in with them and bring them along on the journey.”
Alan Heron, director of procurement at Places for People, added: “This is the biggest change to public procurement regulations in a generation and therefore it needs to be right.”



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