Brexit
The full impact of Brexit on the local government
sector is still largely unknown. Examples cited
by COSLA include loss of EU funding for local
initiatives, a reduction in the number of EU
nationals working in key service areas such as
education and social care, and implications for local
businesses which export to Europe.
In March 2018, the UK Government announced that
public procurement was one of 24 areas expected
to require a UK legislative approach for a temporary
period. While discussions are still ongoing
with devolved governments, this could have
implications across the Scottish public sector where
procurement duties go beyond the obligations
required by EU directives.
Regardless of the legislative position, the cost
of procuring goods may rise, particularly where
products or their raw materials are imported from
the EU and/or are vulnerable to currency or market
fluctuations. Since the announcement of the UK’s
departure from the EU in 2016, Scotland Excel has
mitigated a number of price increase requests
relating to the Brexit vote.
Our strategy
The challenges facing the local government
sector require the continuous development of
new and innovative solutions. We believe we have
demonstrated our ability to support many of
these challenges, both directly through savings,
efficiencies and increased commercial capability,
and indirectly by embedding national and local
policies within our procurement strategies.
This corporate strategy sets out how we plan to
raise our game further, providing even greater
support to councils and other public sector
stakeholders, while ensuring our own organisation’s
long term sustainability and growth. As always,
our strategy has been developed in consultation
with our member councils, and the operating plans
which support it will be published annually to
ensure our focus remains relevant to their needs.
This strategy looks forward over a period of five
years to support a longer term view of our goals
and objectives and enable us to plan accordingly.
It will be reviewed at the end of the third year and,
if required, updated to reflect any new priorities or
significant changes in our macro-environment.
Scotland Excel’s Executive Team
12 | Shared Vision, Shared Success. Our Corporate Strategy 2018–2023
Shared Vision, Shared Success. Our Corporate Strategy 2018–2023 | 13