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1. Introduction
The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (The Act), the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 and the Procurement (Scotland) Regulations 2016, govern how Scottish public bodies purchase their goods, services and works, in a way that boosts economic, environmental, and social value. The Act requires all public organisations with annual regulated procurement spend of £5 million or more to publish a procurement strategy and to prepare an annual procurement report on its regulated procurements.
Regulated procurements are governed by The Act and equal or exceed £2,000,000 for works contracts and £50,000 for goods and services contracts (including health & social care). This report covers the period from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025 and applies to all regulated North Ayrshire Council external supplier expenditure.
The Procurement Strategy was published in November 2023, and it sets out how North Ayrshire Council will approach its external expenditure on goods, services and works over the period 2023-2026. This strategy is refreshed annually and performance against strategic objectives is reviewed every 6 months and reported to the North Ayrshire Council Procurement Board, which is chaired by the Finance Head of Service.
North Ayrshire Council recognises the importance and the benefits of effective procurement, and The Procurement Strategy sets out the strategic objectives that will improve, innovate, and transform how North Ayrshire Council procures goods, services, and works. The five strategic objectives are noted below.
The Annual Procurement Report includes:
- a summary of the regulated procurements and non-regulated procurements, that have been awarded
- a review of whether those procurements complied with The Procurement Strategy 2023-2026 and details of any non-compliance, with rectification measures for future compliance
- a summary of any community benefits delivered
- a summary of steps taken to facilitate the involvement of supported businesses
- a summary of steps taken to reduce climate change impact
- a summary of continuous improvement projects/activities
- a summary of commercial activity to generate savings and income
- a summary of the regulated procurements North Ayrshire Council expects to commence in the next two financial years
Report Owner
The Annual Procurement Report owner is Suzanne Bignell, Senior Manager (Corporate Procurement).
2. North Ayrshire Council Context
Despite some locational strengths, North Ayrshire has levels of inequality, particularly poverty and the associated effects this has. North Ayrshire is one of the most deprived areas in Scotland and deprivation levels are significantly higher than the Scottish average. 40.9% of North Ayrshire residents live in the most deprived Scottish Index of Multiple Depravation area.
North Ayrshire Council aims to improve the North Ayrshire economy by using North Ayrshire’s land and coastal assets, infrastructure, and location-based strengths, to draw investment and stakeholder activity to create opportunities for our local business base and increase access to fair employment opportunities.
The Council Plan
In 2023, North Ayrshire Council published its latest Council Plan 2023 to 2028 which builds on previous plans and has a vision of a North Ayrshire that is fair for all and a mission to work together to improve the lives of our people in North Ayrshire.
The Council Plan states:
Quote: We are aware that many of the issues we face in North Ayrshire are extremely complex and will take longer than a five-year Council Plan to fully resolve. With this in mind each Council Plan should be viewed as a substantial step towards addressing significant challenges such as child poverty in our communities and the impact of climate change. By building on each plan, we can drive immediate and longer-term sustainable improvements to the lives of our residents. Our communities are at the heart of everything we do and as we move to deliver our Council Plan, we would like you to hold us to account.
Quote from: North Ayrshire Council Plan 2023 to 2028
To achieve the above, North Ayrshire Council has set four strategic aims, to achieve the vision and mission:
Each strategic aim contributes to the delivery of Scotland’s 11 National Outcomes under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, and these are published within the National Performance Framework which aims to create a more successful country with more opportunities and better wellbeing for the people of Scotland.
The Corporate Procurement Unit works with stakeholders to support the achievement of the strategic aims of the Council Plan and the Procurement Strategy objectives align with and will contribute to the Council Plan.
Community Wealth Building Strategy
Community Wealth Building has been at the heart of everything we do at North Ayrshire Council, since it was launched in 2020. The Community Wealth Building Strategy 2024-2027 document states:
Quote: Now more than ever we need to take an inclusive and people-centered approach to developing our local economy and ensure fair distribution of wealth and opportunities for our communities.
Quote from: Community Wealth Building Strategy 2024-2027
The Council Plan states:
"Community Wealth Building is embedded as an approach and is contributing to the delivery of a wellbeing economy.
Community Wealth Building aims to increase wealth within our area and create a healthier and more resilient North Ayrshire. This is achieved by encouraging organisations to use their economic power, to work closely with communities and invest within North, South and East Ayrshire."
There are five key pillars within the strategy, one of which is procurement.
The Community Wealth Building procurement objective is for North Ayrshire Council to:
"Use spend to actively encourage and support a growing, diverse, and resilient local business base, and to support our net zero carbon ambition."
The Corporate Procurement Unit and the Business Support and Development Team continue to work together to support local businesses to optimise their chances of winning contracts within the limitations of public sector procurement legislation. Visibility of future procurement opportunities and support and training is provided, to help local businesses to be more competitive and therefore win a greater number of North Ayrshire Council contracts.
Another pillar of the Community Wealth Building Strategy is Fair Employment.
The Community Wealth Building fair employment objective is for North Ayrshire Council to:
"Encourage the creation of fair and meaningful jobs with progression opportunities to unlock the potential of our residents."
North Ayrshire Council procurement exercises include mandatory requirements for all suppliers to adopt Fair Work First principles and encourage payment of the Real Living Wage. Community benefit clauses relating to local employment and training are also included in all appropriate procurement exercises.
Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy
On 11 June 2019, North Ayrshire Council declared its own Climate Emergency, committing to act on climate change. The Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy 2024-2027 has been developed to support the delivery of North Ayrshire Council’s priorities and continues to work towards a sustainable environment.
The strategy states:
"This ‘Sustainable North Ayrshire’ strategy has been developed to support the Climate Change priority and the continuing strategic aim of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030."
The Procurements Strategy strategic objective to tackle climate change and embrace a circular economy on our net-zero journey, aligns with this strategy.
North Ayrshire Council Spend
Procurement is a significant activity across North Ayrshire Council and in 2024-2025, approximately £300.5m was spent, across 30 different categories of goods, services, and works, with over 3,400 suppliers, resulting in over 85,000 invoices.
Just over 54% of the external procurement expenditure was spent with small and medium sized enterprises and around 27% was spent with local suppliers within North Ayrshire, which meant the 27% 2024/2025 Council Plan target was met. Since the previous year local spend increased from £71.5m to £80.5m and the local spend percentage increased from 24% to 27%.
An additional £15.4m of local sub-contracted spend was also reported (an increase of £5.4m from the previous year) which, if considered, would have increased the local spend percentage to 32%.
North Ayrshire Council aspires to increase expenditure with local businesses and the Corporate Procurement Unit, and the Business Support and Development Team work together to support and develop local businesses to be more successful in winning North Ayrshire Council contracts.
The Corporate Procurement Unit has created a local business database to help identify local businesses who have the capability and capacity to bid for and deliver North Ayrshire Council contracts, and a local subcontracting process has been set up to encourage award of local sub-contracts.
North Ayrshire Council are also a member of the Supplier Development Programme and attend hosted meet the buyer events and encourage SMEs to reach out to the programme for support, where appropriate.
3. Summary of Regulated Procurements Completed
North Ayrshire Council completed 72 regulated procurements with a value of £103,310,934.56 during the period of the report. Table 1 below shows a summary of regulated procurement activity.
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Total number of completed procurements | 72 |
| Estimated value of all completed procurements | £103,310,934.56 |
| Estimated savings to be delivered from the awarded contracts | 4,085,610.2 |
| Number of light touch contracts let during the period | 0 |
| Average number of bids received | 4 |
| % of contracts awarded to SMEs | 73% |
| Average processing time for a procurement exercise | 77 hours |
Further details of each individual procurement including contract reference, contract description, contact value, supplier name(s), contract start date, contract end date and extension periods can be found in Appendix A, and all current live contracts including regulated procurements are publicly available through North Ayrshire Council’s Contracts Register.
North Ayrshire Council also completed 70 non-regulated procurements, with a value of £8,177,853.22 during the period of the report.
The value and number of regulated contracts awarded for specific categories are detailed in Table 2 below:
| Contracts Awarded Category Type | Number of contracts | Total Value of Contracts | Percentage Value of Contracts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 5 | £67,007,768.60 | 56% |
| Other Goods & Services | 9 | £9,559,783.54 | 18% |
| Healthcare | 6 | £6,653,029.74 | 6% |
| ICT | 14 | £5,885,102.72 | 6% |
| Transport | 7 | £3,504,426.61 | 3% |
| Professional Services | 11 | £3,418,774.79 | 3% |
| Social Care & Services | 2 | £1,670,238.00 | 2% |
| Security Equipment & Services | 1 | £1,550,750.00 | 2% |
| Vehicles | 4 | £1,213,450.00 | 1% |
| Financial Services | 2 | £494,670.00 | 0% |
| Utilities & Energy | 2 | £474,788.19 | 0% |
| Human Resources | 1 | £422,226.45 | 0% |
| Waste & Environmental Services | 1 | £409,722.00 | 0% |
| Travel & Accommodation | 3 | £361,288.92 | 0% |
| Facilities Management | 1 | £292,915.00 | 0% |
| Manufacturing & Machinery | 1 | £210,000.00 | 0% |
| Education | 1 | £107,000.00 | 0% |
| Arts, Sport & Leisure | 1 | £75,000.00 | 0% |
| Grant Total | 72 | £103,310,934.56 | 100% |
4. Review of Procurement Compliance
Procurements need to be progressed in accordance with North Ayrshire Council’s Procurement Strategy and all relevant legislation. Details of whether these procurements complied with the Procurement Strategy 2023-2026 and areas of development in future years are detailed below:
Objective
To ensure all Corporate Procurement Unit staff are fully trained and developed to reach their maximum potential, to offer a more strategic and commercial approach to procurement activities.
How our objective will be met
Develop all new and existing Corporate Procurement Unit staff to be multi-skilled and able to carry out procurement exercises for any categories of spend, through appropriate professional qualifications, training, secondments, and mentoring.
Progress - Business as usual – 1 member of staff is progressing Charted Institute of Procurement and Supply Professional qualification in 2024/2025.
Identify training needs linked to our strategic objectives detailed in our Strategic Training Plan.
Progress - Business as usual – All training needs identified at one to ones or annual reviews are linked to a strategic objective and detailed on the Strategic Training Plan.
Deliver training through buddying, coaching, and mentoring and internal and external procurement training courses including climate literacy training.
Progress - Business as usual.
Objective
To ensure that all procurement activity is carried out in a transparent, proportionate, non-discriminative, and accountable manner, in accordance with procurement legislation and North Ayrshire Council’s internal governance.
How our objective will be met
Utilise advertising and e-Tendering systems and provide proportionate streamlined procurement processes, and user friendly, clear precise plain English documentation for all North Ayrshire Council employees involved in the procurement process to use, that is easy for suppliers to interpret to ensure common understanding.
Progress - Business as usual.
Ensure all elements of the contract strategy and tender process are reviewed and appropriately authorised to ensure non-discrimination, legal compliance, and delivery of best value.
Progress - All documents and processes are reviewed regularly by the senior Manager and Operations Manager utilising a document review log.
Respond to changes, new procurement legislation or Scottish Procurement Policy Notes as appropriate.
Progress - Business as usual and all changes are reported to the Procurement Board quarterly.
Objective
To provide visibility of future contracting opportunities by advertising opportunities, maintaining, and publishing a Contract Register, tender waveplan, and procurement annual reports.
How our objective will be met
Advertise all appropriate contracts electronically using Public Contracts Scotland in line with legislative requirements.
Progress – All appropriate contract opportunities are advertised on Public Contracts Scotland and early supplier engagement is carried out to identify suitable suppliers and encourage them to bid.
Publish an Annual Report (including a 2-year forward plan of contract opportunities), Procurement Strategy and Contract Register in line with legislative requirements.
Progress - Business as usual.
Objective
Ensure all relevant contracts comply with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
How our objective will be met
Ensure health and safety is addressed in all relevant contracts by insisting on adherence to the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, requesting ISO 45001 or equivalent policies and scoring risk and health and safety practices as part of the technical evaluation, where appropriate.
Progress - Business as usual.
Objective
To procure food to improve health, wellbeing and education and promote high standards of animal welfare.
How our objective will be met
Specify food procurements to ensure nutritional quality is addressed, seasonal products are purchased, and unnecessary use of natural resources is avoided and requesting certification relating to animal welfare standards.
Progress - Business as usual.
Objective
Work with service teams to develop a robust specification and contract strategy for each procurement exercise.
How our objective will be met
Work with services teams to develop a robust specification for each procurement exercise.
Progress - Business as usual.
Objective
To ensure Corporate Procurement Unit staff and service teams work collaboratively to ensure best economic and social value is obtained from all external expenditure.
How our objective will be met
Review spend data and identify non-compliant spend - work with service teams to ensure contracts are in place that have been procured via a compliant procurement route.
Progress – non-compliant spend is reviewed quarterly and reported to the Procurement Board, Senior Managers and Heads of Service, to encourage appropriate action.
Work with service teams to maintain an accurate tender waveplan to provide an overview of all contracts and supplier performance and enable efficient allocation of procurement resources.
Progress - Procurement Operations Manager meets with service teams quarterly to discuss future procurement requirements.
Work with service teams and suppliers to ensure continuous improvement, through regular meetings and using supplier and customer surveys.
Progress – Issue customer surveys annually and supplier surveys at the end of the procurement process and there is a feedback facility on Connects. Feedback is utilised to improve processes where appropriate.
Objective
Continue to improve procurement performance across the council as measured by the Scottish Government’s Procurement & Commercial Improvement Programme.
How our objective will be met
Prepare for the Procurement & Commercial Improvement Programme assessment by utilising a Procurement & Commercial Improvement Programme Improvement Plan.
Progress - PCIP Assessment took place November 2023.
Scored advanced practice in 9 out of 11 areas assessed.
Implemented improvements to the CSM process and the independent post project review process, following benchmarking best practice with other Councils.
Objective
Work with service teams to develop contract strategies and specifications aligned to the Council Plan, other North Ayrshire Council strategies, the National Performance Framework and Scottish Model of Procurement for all procurements (above £50K for supplies and services and above £500K for works) to deliver maximum economic and social value.
How our objective will be met
Develop contract strategies and specifications to procure contracts to fully meet North Ayrshire Council’s needs, considering early supplier engagement, market research, demand management, innovation and substitutes, best route to market to maximise competition and value for money, best pricing options and mechanisms and inclusion of criteria to reduce climate impact and benefit the local economy.
Progress – Business as usual.
Objective
Generate value from utilising collaborative contracts with other Councils, Scotland Excel, Scottish Government and Crown Commercial Services.
How our objective will be met
Seek opportunities to collaborate with neighbouring local authorities and other public sector bodies as well as continuing to engage with Scottish Government procurement, Crown Commercial Services and Scotland Excel.
Progress – Business as usual. Meet with the other Ayrshire Councils quarterly and discuss collaboration opportunities.
Continue to use and rationalise existing collaborative frameworks to obtain further savings through mini competitions, rationalising products, using alternative products, and maximising rebates.
Progress – Business as usual. Further savings delivered from the Crown Commercial Services RM6098 Technology Products & Associated Services Framework and further income generated from the Crown Commercial Services RM6248 Payment Solutions 2 Framework.
Objective
Work with the Procurement Board and internal service teams to maximise savings from national frameworks, through product rationalisation, taking advantage of rebates and utilising the best quality supplier(s) at the optimal price.
How our objective will be met
Discuss saving opportunities at the Procurement Board.
Progress – The Procurement Board meet quarterly, and savings are a standing agenda item. Savings proposed by the Scotland Excel Team are considered and taken advantage of as appropriate.
Objective
Train all Corporate Procurement Unit staff in commercial acumen.
How our objective will be met
Carry out regular commercial acumen workshops so officers involved in procurement understand their responsibility to deliver best value and are open to carrying out thorough market research, benchmarking, utilising indexation tools, negotiating, developing specifications, and robustly managing contracts and suppliers.
Progress - Carried out annually for all CPU staff.
Objective
Manage price increase requests and other negotiations.
How our objective will be met
Carry out benchmarking exercises and utilise indexation tools and reports to understand market prices and negotiate price increase requests and post tender negotiations accordingly.
Progress – Business as usual - £17,443.09 of savings generated from post tender negotiation.
Objective
Monitor, report, and work with service teams to rectify non-compliant spend.
How our objective will be met
Provide Standing Orders Relating to Contracts training via e-Learning and recorded procurement training to all individuals involved in procurement activities across North Ayrshire Council.
Progress – Business as usual.
Identify non-compliant spend to target spend that may be influenced by a competitive procurement exercise.
Progress – non-compliant spend is monitored daily and reviewed quarterly. It has decreased by £1.35 million since 2023-2024 (41%).
Report non-compliant spend to the Procurement Board.
Progress - Reported quarterly and all Heads of Service and Senior Managers are notified.
Objective
All North Ayrshire Council officers to adhere to a Contract and Supplier Management Policy to ensure the maximum economic and social value is continually driven from every contract.
How our objective will be met
To manage all contracts in line with the Contract and Supplier Management Policy and encourage all devolved contract and supplier mangers to do the same.
Progress – The CSM Policy has been improved to include a framework to decide if and what frequency the contract will be managed. Templates have been enhanced for KPIs and balanced scorecards to gather meaningful performance information and a performance dashboard has been created to create a comprehensive overview of supplier performance accessible to all senior managers.
Objective
Ensure that all external expenditure is procured sustainably, whilst encouraging and influencing our suppliers, contractors, and service providers to do the same.
How our objective will be met
Ensure compliance with environmental law by issuing terms and conditions for all contracts.
Progress – Business as usual.
Request appropriate certification in relevant contracts to meet specific environmental standards.
Progress – Business as usual.
Objective
Support North Ayrshire Council’s drive to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 by ensuring that every contract strategy takes account of the potential impact on the environment and identifies ways in which the impact can be reduced utilising the sustainable procurement tools.
How our objective will be met
Ensure all contract strategies consider socio economic and environmental impact and how this can be reduced utilising the sustainable procurement tools.
Progress – Business as usual. Sustainable Procurement Tools are utilised for all procurement over £50k for supplies and services and over £500k for works.
Apply relevant and proportionate selection and award criteria to ensure that environmental impacts are considered appropriately in procurement exercises.
Progress – Business as usual for appropriate procurements.
Consider climate and circular economy considerations at the early buyer engagement stage and include relevant requirements in the specification.
Progress – Business as usual – meet with service teams prior to business case stage for Ayrshire Growth Deal and other appropriate projects.
Objective
Collaborate with service teams to implement, monitor, and report actions to reduce climate impact and maximise circular economy opportunities.
How our objective will be met
Complete FNT2030 templates with service teams to monitor and report progress against actions to reduce climate impact for relevant categories of spend.
Progress - FNT2030 templates are completed and monitored with the Transport, ICT, Waste, Energy and Sustainability and Building Services Teams.
Create climate and circular economy case studies in collaboration with service teams and share best practice.
Progress – case studies have been developed for:
- NAC/MC/5119 Construction of 50 New Build Council Houses at the Site of the Former Garnock Academy, Kilbirnie
- NAC/MC/5147 Construction of Council Houses at the Former Ayrshire Central Maternity Hospital, Irvine
- NAC/DA/5100 Supply, Installation and Maintenance of Electric Charging Equipment and Associated Products
See Appendix C document.
Manage and monitor the Corporate Procurement Unit’s net-zero roadmap, aligned with the Sustainable North Ayrshire 2024-2027 roadmap to demonstrate how the Corporate Procurement Unit are supporting North Ayrshire Council’s net-zero journey.
Progress - Reviewed annually in consultation with the Sustainability team and included in Procurement Strategy.
Report all actions to reduce the impact of climate within our annual procurement report.
Progress – Procurement activity and energy efficient contracts awarded reported annually (see Section 7 of the report).
Objective
To create employment in North Ayrshire through community benefit clauses.
How our objective will be met
Monitor and report on delivery of employment through community benefit clauses included in procurement exercises.
Progress - Monitored every 6 months or more frequent by the Community Benefit Officer and reported annually in the annual report.
Objective
Ensure all contracts promote the payment of the real living wage and fair working practices (including equality) for all employees engaged in the delivery of North Ayrshire Council contracts.
How our objective will be met
Encourage fair work practices and payment of real living wage in all relevant contracts and score as part of the quality evaluation where appropriate.
Progress – Business as usual.
Refer all suppliers who are not living wage accredited or do not pay living wage to all suitable staff to the Fair Work Ayrshire Team to enable them to encourage payment/accreditation status.
Progress – Business as usual.
Objective
Ensure prompt payment to suppliers and sub-contractors.
How our objective will be met
Aim to pay all suppliers within 30 days of receipt of an accurate invoice and encourage prompt payment to sub-contractors (within 30 days), using the appropriate terms and conditions and addressing via the pre-qualification and Contract and Supplier Management process.
Progress – Business as usual.
Objective
To eliminate modern slavery from all North Ayrshire Council supply chains.
How our objective will be met
Include mandatory agreement to North Ayrshire Council’s Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking code of conduct in all procurement exercises.
Progress – Business as usual.
Ask all bidders to sign a declaration to say they have taken relevant measures to ensure the supply chains are slavery proof.
Progress – Business as usual.
Publish Modern Slavey and Human Trafficking whistle blowing process on North Ayrshire Council’s external website.
Progress – Business as usual.
Objective
Identify and mitigate the risks associated with serious and organised crime.
How our objective will be met
Adhere to the Police Scotland Protocol regarding serious organised crime, sharing prospective bidders and responding to concerns from Police Scotland.
Progress – Business as usual.
Objective
Ensure that all external expenditure is procured, fairly, and ethically whilst encouraging and influencing our suppliers, contractors, and service providers to do the same.
How our objective will be met
Request appropriate certification in relevant contracts to meet specific, social standards such as Fair Trade.
Progress – Business as usual.
Objective
Ensure all staff are trained in supply chain ethics.
How our objective will be met
Complete CIPS ethical supply chain training.
Progress – Completed annually by all procurement staff.
Objective
Understand and promote community wealth building.
How our objective will be met
Develop the corporate culture and status of procurement as a key feature of community wealth building.
Progress – liaise with Business Support and Development Team and other service teams to encourage participation of local suppliers in procurement exercises. Created a local supplier database and a local sub-contracting process to encourage local spend.
Senior Manager (Corporate Procurement) attends Community Wealth Building Working Group.
Progress – Attend bi-monthly meetings and report local spend and local contract awards and any other procurement initiatives to increase local spend.
Participate in the CWB Procurement Lead Officers Group to optimise community wealth building.
Progress - As required.
Objective
Improve engagement with local suppliers, social enterprises, and supported businesses to promote opportunities.
How our objective will be met
Carry out early supplier engagement to encourage local bidders, social enterprises and supported businesses to bid for future contract opportunities where appropriate.
Progress – Early supplier engagement questionnaires are issued to suppliers for appropriate procurements and early supplier engagement meetings are progressed, as appropriate.
Maintain a published contract register and report on future procurement projects over the next 2 years within the Annual Procurement Report to enable local Small and Medium Enterprises, Third Sector Organisations and Supported Business’s to have future visibility and be able to prepare to bid for future contracts.
Progress – Business as usual.
Consider involvement of local Small and Medium Enterprises, Third Sector Organisations and Supported Businesses at the early buyer engagement stage.
Progress – consider use of lots and bidders’ days as appropriate.
Objective
Optimise use of procurement processes to award more contracts to local suppliers.
How our objective will be met
Consider sub-dividing tenders into lots, giving cognisance to accessibility of contracts for local Small and Medium Enterprises, Third Sector Organisations and Supported Business’s.
Progress – Business as usual.
Objective
Collaborate with North Ayrshire Council’s Business Support and Development Team to grow local capability and capacity and to promote innovation.
How our objective will be met
Work with North Ayrshire Council’s Business Support and Development Team to maximise local supplier participation in the Quick Quote and other procurement processes.
Progress – Request local supplier referrals from the Business Support and Development Team for appropriate quick quotes.
Work with the Business Support and Development Team to fully understand our local businesses and their capability and capacity to supply.
Progress – Created local supplier database to understand what the businesses can deliver, their experience, accreditations, turnover, insurance held etc.
5. Community Benefit Summary
A summary of community benefits delivered is detailed for the period of the report in Table 4 Community Benefits Delivered below.
North Ayrshire Council has a strong track record in delivering social and environmental benefits through its procurement activity. Community benefit clauses provide a means of achieving sustainability in public contracts.
Community benefit requirements are detailed in North Ayrshire Council’s Community Benefit Policy and are laid out in North Ayrshire Council’s Community Benefits Menu, which allocates points to community benefits based on the value of a contract. The menu is broken down into the following areas:
- Employment - unemployed person, modern apprentice, graduate apprentice and others.
- Employability and Skills - work experience, career and employability sessions and job fairs.
- Small and Medium Enterprises - one-to-one mentoring, encouraging Small and Medium Enterprise sustainability offerings.
- Third Sector Organisations – workshops.
- Education – work experience, school projects, career and employability sessions, attendance at school career events.
- Community Wish List - delivery of community and Third Sector requests for support from the North Ayrshire Council Community Benefit Wish List.
- Suppliers are also encouraged to sub-contract to Small and Medium Enterprises, Third Sector Organisations and Supported Businesses.
Community benefits are an important element of the sustainable procurement duty and the steps taken by North Ayrshire Council to include community benefit requirements demonstrates compliance with that duty.
The Act states community benefits must be considered for all procurements at or above £4 million in value. North Ayrshire Council requests community benefits for all procurements from £50,000 to £499,999 for supplies and services and £100,000 to £499,999 for works on a voluntary basis and for procurements above these values on a mandatory basis. This is a lower threshold, therefore achieves significantly more community benefits across wider contracts.
Table 3 below provides details of all community benefits delivered for contracts over £50,000 for supplies and services and over £100,000 for works, and not just regulated contracts.
| Community Benefits Delivered | Total |
|---|---|
| Total contracts awarded with community benefit requirements | 41 |
| Total contracts awarded over £4 million | 3 |
| Total contracts awarded over £4 million with community benefit requirements | 3 |
| Number of jobs filled by priority groups | 841 weeks (16 jobs) |
| Number of apprenticeships filled by priority groups | Priority 1002 weeks (19 jobs) and Non-Priority 703 weeks (14 jobs) |
| Number of other jobs filled | 1355 weeks (26 jobs) |
| Number of work placements for priority groups | 4 |
| Number of SME workshops | 3 |
| Number of TSO workshops | 1 |
| Number of school projects | 5 |
| Number of community projects/support for community groups | 7 |
| Number of wish list projects delivered | 39 |
| Other community benefit delivered | 18 career fairs (schools) |
| Other community benefit delivered | 9 job fairs |
| Other community benefit delivered | 4 employability session |
| Other community benefit delivered | 18 employability session (schools) |
6. Supported Business Summary
A summary of the steps taken to facilitate the involvement of supported businesses in regulated procurements during the year covered by the report are noted below.
- Reserving contracts to supported businesses is considered when the contract strategy is being developed and is applied, if applicable.
- The Scottish Government Requirements Reserved For Supported Business Dynamic Purchasing System is published on North Ayrshire Council’s intranet site to encourage spend through the framework, where appropriate.
The total spend with supported businesses for the period covered by the Annual Procurement Report was £451,218.14, which was an increase of £12,460.14 from the previous year.
This spend relates to spend with 5 supported businesses and includes kitchen unit materials, sanitary products, and signage.
7. Climate Change and Sustainable Procurement
Tackling Climate Change
North Ayrshire Council declared its own Climate Emergency on 11th June 2019, committing to act on climate change. The Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy 2023-2027 has been developed to support the delivery of North Ayrshire Council’s priorities and continues to work towards a sustainable environment. The Procurement Strategy strategic objective to:
Quote: tackle climate change and embrace a circular economy on our net-zero journey
Quote from: Procurement Strategy strategic objective
Supports the Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy by utilising the Scottish Government sustainable procurement tools to ensure climate change and sustainable procurement is addressed in all procurement exercises.
Sustainable Procurement Tools
The tools utilised include:
- Flexible framework assessment tool,
- Prioritisation tool,
- Life cycle impact mapping,
- Sustainability test,
- Climate literacy training eLearning.
Selection and Award Criteria
Selection and award criteria aimed at reducing climate change impact is also included in all relevant procurements.
Climate Change Steering Group
The Climate Change Steering Group is chaired by North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet member for Economy and Climate Change for North Ayrshire Council and other group members include North Ayrshire Council representatives and representatives from Ayrshire College, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, KA Leisure, Community Groups, Industry Sectors, and youth representatives.
The remit of the groups is to:
- Act as a sounding board and critical friend to support and challenge the implementation of the Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy,
- Bring ideas, lessons learned and best practice from elsewhere in the UK and internationally around climate change mitigation and adaption,
- Advise on approach to achieving net zero carbon by 2030,
- Contribute wider policy knowledge on the sustainability and climate change agenda,
- Promote North Ayrshire’s actions on climate change,
- Contribute to the review and refresh of the Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy as required.
Sustainability Case Studies
The Corporate Procurement Unit created three sustainability case studies (contracts listed below) in collaboration with the relevant internal service teams. These case studies are detailed in Appendix 3.
- NAC/MC/5119 Construction of 50 New Build Council Houses at the Site of the Former Garnock Academy, Kilbirnie
- NAC/MC/5147 Construction of Council Houses at the Former Ayrshire Central Maternity Hospital, Irvine
- NAC/DA/5100 Supply, Installation and Maintenance of Electric Charging Equipment
Net-Zero Road Map
The Corporate Procurement Unit are also maintaining a net-zero roadmap in collaboration with the appropriate service teams leads, that aligns with the Sustainable North Ayrshire net-zero road map. The road map demonstrates how the Corporate Procurement Unit supports North Ayrshire Council to achieve its net-zero ambitions.
FNT2030 Templates
The Corporate Procurement Unit has also completed and are monitoring five FNT2030 templates in collaboration with the Waste (including Streetscene), Transport, ICT, Energy and Sustainability and Building Services Teams, that demonstrate and monitor how each category of spend will achieve its net-zero ambitions by 2030.
Climate Change Reduction Contracts Awarded
The contracts detailed below in Table 4 were awarded during the Annual Procurement Report year. These projects support reduction of climate change impact and sustainable procurement and are a mixture of regulated and non-regulated procurements:
| Contract Reference | Contract Title |
|---|---|
| NAC/MC/5119 | Construction of 50 New Build Council Houses at the Site of the Former Garnock Academy, Kilbirnie |
| NAC/MC/5147 | Construction of Council Houses at the Former Ayrshire Central Maternity Hospital, Irvine |
| NAC/DA/5086 | B714 Final Business Case (FBC) |
| NAC/DA/5100 | Supply, Installation and Maintenance of Electric Charging Equipment and Associated Products |
| NAC/MC/5155 | Supply and Delivery of HVO Fuel, North Ayrshire |
| NAC/STA/5240 | Maintenance, Warranty and Data Sim Contract for EV Charge Points |
| NAC/DA/5078 | Construction of Ardrossan Community Campus: Pre-Construction Services Delivery Agreement (PCSDA) |
| NAC/MC/5157 | NEC4 Supervisor, Ardrossan Campus |
| NAC/STA/5247 | Extension of Project Manager Services and Provision of NEC4 Project Manager Services – Ardrossan Campus |
| NAC/STA/5249 | Quantity Surveyor and Technical Advisor Services – Ardrossan Campus |
| NAC/DA/5071 | Energy Smart Programme Works |
| NAC/DA/5089 | Replacement Rapid and Relocation of EV Chargers in Arran |
| NAC/QQ/5299 | Supply and Delivery of LED Lanterns, North Ayrshire |
| NAC/QQ/5326 | Purchase of an Electric Powered Forklift Truck |
| NAC/STA/5265 | Felling and Removal of Trees Affected by Ash Dieback Disease (Lawthorne Mount) |
| NAC/QQ/5334 | Proposed Internal Lighting Refurbishment, West Byrehill Transport Garage, Kilwinning |
| NAC/QQ/5333 | Electrical Upgrades, Repairs, Inspection and Testing, North Ayrshire |
| NAC/STA/5235 | Culvert Defect Repairs, North Ayrshire |
| NAC/QQ/5312 | Replacement of Building Management System, Dalry Primary School/Early Years and Beith Primary School |
Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements)
North Ayrshire Council also complies with the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Order 2015 which requires Public Sector Bodies to publish annual climate change reports. The report for 2023/2024 was submitted in November 2024.
The Corporate Procurement Unit contributes to compliance with climate change duties by procuring and awarding contracts that reduce climate change impact, using sustainable procurement tools (detailed above) and including appropriate selection and award criteria in relevant procurements.
The Corporate Procurement Unit has also completed the activities noted below within the report period:
- Attended the Energy Strategy Workshop with the Energy and Sustainability Team to contribute towards the development of North Ayrshire Council’s new Renewable Energy strategy.
- Participated in the annual Climate Change Assessment Tool Assessment for the Procurement Section which is incorporated within the annual Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report.
- Attended the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Reporting Consultation with the Energy and Sustainability Team in relation to up and coming legislation and guidance changes.
- Participated in the annual Climate Adaptation Capability Framework Assessment to demonstrate how Procurement helps reduce the impacts of climate change.
8. Continuous Improvement
North Ayrshire Council’s Corporate Procurement Unit continually assesses processes, procedures, templates, and ways of working, to identify lessons learned and consider ongoing improvement activity in relevant areas. Suggestions for improvement are a standing agenda item at monthly Corporate Procurement Unit meetings and quarterly Procurement Board meetings and post projects reviews are completed for all procurement exercises undertaken. Lessons learned from procurement exercises and contract management are recorded and remedial action is taken for future procurements to ensure continuous improvement.
A Procurement Improvement Action Plan has been created that outlines improvement activities during the reporting period. This plan is reviewed every 6 months. Some of the activities implemented in 2024/2025 are detailed below:
Updated/created numerous processes/templates/guidance documents to make them more user friendly and to encourage collation of more robust information, to aid decision making.
Created a local supplier database to encourage more local spend.
Introduced a local sub-contracting process, to encourage larger suppliers to subcontract to smaller local contractors. Questionnaires are completed at the contract and supplier management start up meeting.
Refreshed the Contract & Supplier Management (CSM) Policy to include:
- A CSM framework to determine the level of CSM required for each contract,
- Procurement Journey balanced scorecards,
- A CSM flowchart,
- CSM roles and responsibilities,
- Risk management monitoring,
- Business continuity monitoring,
- Key policy renewal dates monitoring,
- A new mobilisation/implementation agenda and meeting minute template,
- A high-level PowerBI multi-supplier performance report accessible by all North Ayrshire Council’s senior managers.
Creation of a CSM training course to encourage all service teams to drive maximum economic, social and environmental value from CSM.
Creation of a rebate process to make sure spend is validated correctly and the correct level of rebate is received promptly.
Quarterly operation workshops were also carried out to share and implement new ideas for improvement, and as a result, numerous templates, guidance documents and processes were amended to support continuous improvement.
A continuous improvement log is maintained to record details of all improvements implemented and the impact of the changes.
9. Commercial Activity (Savings/Income)
North Ayrshire Council’s Corporate Procurement Unit maintains a savings, income and innovation log to record savings generated from various commercial activities. Details of savings made in the year 2024/2025 are detailed in table 5 below.
| Commercial Activity | Savings/income value |
|---|---|
| Negotiations | £17,443.09 |
| Lease vs buy | £3,828.00 |
| Demand management | £63,578.70 |
| Competitive procurement savings (award against budget) | £2,041,610.20 |
| Framework rationalisation (analysis or mini competitions) | £1,959,150.21 |
| Income from projects (advertising on roundabouts and vehicles) | £13,543 |
| Amazon business account savings | £6,932.79 |
| Income from rebates | £123,750.71 |
Additionally, North Ayrshire Council have implemented a Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme which is a cost-effective way for staff to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid car via salary sacrifice. There is no credit check or deposit required and everything is included, insurance, servicing, maintenance, repairs, MOT costs, road tax and breakdown assistance. This reduces the amount of income tax, national insurance, and pension both North Ayrshire Council and employees pay. The supplier, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust trading as NHS Fleet Solutions also provides discounts on the electric vehicles.
North Ayrshire Council are also investigating all the saving proposals put forward from Scotland Excel’s savings team and will record the benefits realised and report in future annual reports.
During the period covered by the report, North Ayrshire Council secured an additional £11,464.90 rebate from RBS for Procurement Card Spend and achieved a £96,746.57 saving through aggregating Microsoft Licenses as a result of the proposal from the Scotland Excel’s savings team.
10. Future Regulated Procurement Summary
A forward plan of anticipated regulated procurements North Ayrshire Council expects to commence in the next two financial years are included in Appendix B.
82 contracts are expected to be awarded with an estimated approximate value of £263,392,480.57
This information gives suppliers notice of future opportunities in the next two years.
Acting in a transparent and proportionate manner is an effective way for North Ayrshire Council to encourage competition and achieve better value for money in its procurements. It also promotes wider participation in the public procurement process.
Appendix A Regulated Procurement Summary
Window Cleaning Services
Contract reference
NAC/5080
Contract description
Window Cleaning Services:
- Lot 1 - Corporate Buildings
- Lot 2 - Temporary Accommodation Units
Company name
Struan Window Cleaning Limited
Town
Lanark
Date of award
17 December 2024
Total contract value (£NET including extensions)
£292,915.00
Contract start date
13 January 2025
Original contract end date (excluding extensions)
12 January 2027
Contract end date (including max extensions)
12 January 2030
Appendix B Future Regulated Procurement Summary (April 2025 to March 2027)
CCTV Maintenance Works
New, extended or re-let?
Re-let
Estimated total contract Value £NET (including extensions)
£377,040.80
Expected notice date
8 January 2025
Expected award date
1 July 2025
Expected contract start date
8 July 2025
Appendix C Climate and Circular Economy Case Studies
NAC/DA/5100 Supply, Installation & Maintenance of Electric Charging Equipment and Associated Products: a good example Climate Change
Contractor: MP Group UK Ltd
Intended outcomes of the planned procurement?
The supply, installation and maintenance of 14 electric vehicle charge points across North Ayrshire.
How procurement engaged with the market prior to the procurement process and how this helped embed sustainability?
Expressions of interest was sought from contractors on the Scotland Excel 21-19 Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework, Lot 1 Supply, Installation & Maintenance of Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment and Associated Items, to determine the optimal size of chargers available – ranging from 7kW, 22kW to 80kW. This route allowed a quick and compliant route to market and demonstrated value for money.
How procurement went about establishing the relevance of climate benefits to the procurement?
This project was underpinned by the Sustainable North Ayrshire Strategy and the Council’s Electric Vehicle Strategy. It provides the infrastructure for the decarbonisation of fleet and the roll out of publicly accessible electric vehicle charges to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles across North Ayrshire.
Environmental questions included in the selection stage? and Climate/environmental requirements included in the contract specification?
Scotland Excel assessed framework contractors in relation to their corporate approach to sustainability and how they promote recycling, reuse and reduce initiatives to minimise the impact of their activities on the environment and support the development of Scotland’s circular economy.
How climate/environmental requirements will be monitored throughout the lifetime of the contract?
North Ayrshire Council will monitor the uptake of electric vehicle charge points through their back office software and ensure services, and the general public are aware of the locations of the new electric vehicle chargers.
What the bidder proposes to do to meet the specification’s climate/environmental requirements?
The contractor selected a charging equipment manufacturer that supports the transition to low-carbon transport through innovative, solar-compatible charging solutions. The products are designed to integrate with renewable energy sources and contribute to reducing emissions across the vehicle lifecycle. The contractor also committed to minimising on-site waste, using low-emission vehicles during installation, and ensuring end-of-life components are either repurposed or responsibly recycled. Additionally, they utilise low-emission plant, such as electric machinery instead of petrol-powered equipment, and where required, deploy ECO rated site facilities in place of traditional generator-powered setups to further reduce environmental impact.
Results of including climate benefit in the procurement process?
The estimated mileage for 14 electric vehicle chargers is 1,225,000 miles per annum and the estimated CO2 saving is 185tonnes of CO₂ a year.
How the inclusion of these will deliver social/economic/environmental benefits to individuals/communities/Scotland?
Community benefits were included using Scotland Excel’s points-based delivery system on spend threshold. Scotland Excel will work with the contractor to deliver commitments. Scotland Excel also assessed framework contractors on their approach to fair work practices with the contractor being living wage accredited.
How the inclusion of climate benefit strengthened the overarching project goals?
Support North Ayrshire Council’s journey to become net-zero by 2030. Effective charging infrastructure is essential to ensure the Council can purchase more electric vehicles and also encourages the local community to transition to an electric vehicle.
NAC/MC/5119 Construction of 50 New Build Council Houses at the site of the former Garnock Academy, Kilbirnie
Contractor: Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited
Intended outcomes of the planned procurement?
To build modern, high quality, affordable homes which contribute to the delivery of North Ayrshire Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2023-2028. The new development will provide a sustainable housing environment which encourages independent living, promotes energy efficiency, and also ensures the long-term needs of its tenants are met. Houses will be a mix of wheelchair liveable, amenity and general needs.
How procurement engaged with the market prior to the procurement process and how this helped embed sustainability?
Expressions of interest was sought from contractors on the Scotland Excel 15-18 New Build Residential Construction, Lot 5 – Developments of 41 Units and Over. An early supplier engagement questionnaire was sent to all bidders on the lot, with 4 out of 5 interested in a mini competition. This route allowed a quick and compliant route to market and demonstrated value for money.
How procurement went about establishing the relevance of climate benefits to the procurement?
This project was underpinned by the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2023-2028 which aims to provide sustainable housing solutions which help to address fuel poverty and support educational attainment and support the ageing population and people with accessible housing and particular needs to live more independently.
Environmental questions included in the selection stage? and Climate/environmental requirements included in the contract specification?
Contractors/designers must comply with:
- The current Building Standards technical handbook which provides guidance on how the mandatory building standards may be met.
- The new build programme will meet the Communities Scotland Sustainable Housing Design Guide.
- The houses will comply with silver aspect 1 and 2 of the current building standards and to achieve this will be fitted with - air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, triple glazing windows, fabric enhancements and solar panels. They will also have maximum air tightness of 5m3/h.m2@50Pa.
- A copy of the energy performance certificate (EPC) will be affixed in a prominent place in each house.
- A statement of sustainability will be affixed in a prominent place in each house.
- In order to limit thermal bridging and air infiltration the construction details should at least hold the same level of limitation to the accredited details contained within the Scottish Governments ‘Accredited Construction Details (Scotland) 2010’ publication.
- Low energy light fittings.
- Water closets (WCs) to have flush volume of less than 4.5 litres per flush.
- Taps to each wash hand basin (WHB) will have a maximum flow rate of not more than 6 litres per minute.
- Shower heads to have a maximum flow rate of not more than 8 litres per minute.
- Each house will be fitted with an electricity “smart” meter which will have a resource use display showing electricity.
- Tenants’ handbooks will be provided for the use of the occupier on the operation and maintenance of the heating, ventilation, cooling and hot water service system to encourage optimum energy efficiency.
- Compliance with Zero Waste Scotland Plan, in particular regarding recyclable content.
How climate/environmental requirements will be monitored throughout the lifetime of the contract?
North Ayrshire Council will monitor the climate/environmental requirements via contract performance measures including KPIs, site meetings, contractors progress reports and photographs, if required.
What the bidder proposes to do to meet the specification’s climate / environmental requirements?
All contractors confirmed adherence to the specification and SBCC Standard Building Contract with Quantities for use in Scotland (2016 Edition).
In addition, and where possible, contractor will source labour and materials locally to reduce the carbon footprint of the building site.
Results of including climate benefit in the procurement process?
The delivery of new housing has a key role to play in carbon reduction, climate change mitigation, and alleviation of fuel poverty.
Procurement resulted in innovative and sustainable approaches to heat and power, such as low carbon heat, solar photovoltaic panels, and smart technologies.
How the inclusion of these will deliver social/economic/environmental benefits to individuals/communities/Scotland?
Community benefits were included as a mandatory requirement, and the following will be delivered:
Employment
- 5 x full time (for one year) unemployed person.
- 3 x full time (for one year) modern apprentice.
- 1 x full time (for one year) Quantity Surveyor graduate apprentice.
- 3 x full time (for one year) other employment.
Other – Employability and Skills
- Delivery of a career and employability session.
Other – Education
- Delivery of a career and/or employability session to school pupils.
- 2 x attendance at school careers event arranged by NAC or a partner organisation.
Community Wish List
- 1 x wish list project will be delivered.
Scotland Excel also assessed framework contractors on their approach to fair work practice, and the contractor pays the Real Living Wage to all employees.
How the inclusion of climate benefit strengthened the overarching project goals?
Supports North Ayrshire Council’s journey to become net-zero by 2030 as the houses will be sustainable and the design and building materials will maximise energy efficiency and reduce running costs for residents.
NAC/MC/5147 Construction of Council Houses at the Former Ayrshire Central Maternity Hospital, Irvine
Contractor: Ashleigh (Scotland) Limited
Intended outcomes of the planned procurement?
To build modern, high quality, affordable homes which contribute to the delivery of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2023-2028. The new development will provide a sustainable housing environment which encourages independent living, promotes energy efficiency, and also ensures the long-term needs of its tenants are met.
How procurement engaged with the market prior to the procurement process and how this helped embed sustainability?
Expressions of interest was sought from contractors on the Scotland Excel 15-18 New Build Residential Construction, Lot 5 – Developments of 41 Units and Over. An early supplier engagement questionnaire was sent to all bidders on the lot, with 3 out of 5 interested in a mini competition. This route allowed a quick and compliant route to market and demonstrated value for money.
How procurement went about establishing the relevance of climate benefits to the procurement?
This project was underpinned by the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2023-2028 which aims to provide sustainable housing solutions which help to address fuel poverty and support educational attainment and support the ageing population and people with accessible housing and particular needs to live more independently.
Environmental questions included in the selection stage? and Climate/environmental requirements included in the contract specification?
Contractors/designers were required to comply with:
- The current Building Standards technical handbook which provides guidance on how the mandatory building standards may be met.
- The houses will comply with silver aspect 1 and 2 of the current building standards and to achieve this will be fitted with - air source heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, triple glazing windows, fabric enhancements and solar panels. They will also have maximum air tightness of 5m3/h.m2@50Pa.
- A copy of the energy performance certificate (EPC) will be affixed in a prominent place in each house.
- A statement of sustainability will be affixed in a prominent place in each house.
- In order to limit thermal bridging and air infiltration the construction details should at least hold the same level of limitation to the accredited details contained within the Scottish Governments ‘Accredited Construction Details (Scotland) 2010’ publication.
- Low energy light fittings.
- Water closets (WCs) to have flush volume of less than 4.5 litres per flush.
- Taps to each wash hand basin (WHB) will have a maximum flow rate of not more than 6 litres per minute.
- Shower heads to have a maximum flow rate of not more than 8 litres per minute.
- Each house will be fitted with an electricity “smart” meter which will have a resource use display showing electricity.
- Tenants’ handbooks will be provided for the use of the occupier on the operation and maintenance of the heating, ventilation, cooling and hot water service system to encourage optimum energy efficiency.
The following award criteria was included:
- Climate Change (2.5%) - North Ayrshire Council declared a state of Climate Emergency as per the Environmental, Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. This means we have committed to act now to reduce carbon emissions across North Ayrshire. Tenderers should detail how they will propose to reduce carbon emissions for this project.
- Climate Change (2.5%) - Tenderers should confirm how they intend to reduce the environmental impact of this project, through measures such as waste reduction, re-use of recycled materials / reclaimed materials from site activities, and efficient use of resources. Tenderers should provide previous examples of how they successfully implemented these measures.
How climate/environmental requirements will be monitored throughout the lifetime of the contract?
North Ayrshire Council will monitor the climate/environmental requirements via contract performance measures including KPIs to monitor carbon emissions and investigate ways to reduce emissions.
What the bidder proposes to do to meet the specification’s climate/environmental requirements?
All contractors confirmed adherence to the specification and SBCC Standard Building Contract with Quantities for use in Scotland (2016 Edition). The contractor also detailed how they intend to reduce the environmental impact of this project through fuel efficiency, use of sustainable, low-carbon construction materials, energy/water conservation measures and waste management. The response also confirmed employees will be trained in sustainable awareness and KPIs will be used to monitor and reduce carbon emissions.
Results of including climate benefit in the procurement process?
The delivery of new housing has a key role to play in carbon reduction, climate change mitigation, and alleviation of fuel poverty. Procurement resulted in innovative and sustainable approaches to heat and power, such as low carbon heat, solar photovoltaic panels, and smart technologies.
How the inclusion of these will deliver social/economic/environmental benefits to individuals/communities/Scotland?
Community benefits were included as a mandatory requirement, and the following will be delivered:
Employment
- 1 x unemployed person for 3 years.
- 4 x Joiner Modern Apprentices, 2 x Scaffolder Modern Apprentices and 6 x Supply Chain Modern Apprentices for 3 years.
- 1 x Trainee Quantity Surveyor for 3 years.
Other
- Engage with Your Next Move, Working North Ayrshire to find out about employability events they can attend and support participants with CVs and interview advice.
- Engage with Developing the Young Workforce Ayrshire to find out which schools in North Ayrshire require support at career/employability sessions.
- 2 x Engage with Developing the Young Workforce Ayrshire to find out which schools in North Ayrshire are facilitating career events for 2024-25 and attend.
- Engage with North Ayrshire Council’s Community Benefits Officer to ascertain wishes that are available for delivery.
Scotland Excel also assessed framework contractors on their approach to fair work practice, and the contractor pays the Real Living wage to all employees.
How the inclusion of climate benefit strengthened the overarching project goals?
Supports North Ayrshire Council’s journey to become net-zero by 2030 as the houses will be sustainable and the design and building materials will maximise energy efficiency and reduce running costs for residents.
