Background
In October 2007 when Capita was selected as SouthamptonCity Council’s 10-year Strategic Services Partner, it promised to deliver a transformational programme that would ultimately
enable significant savings for the Council over the lifetime of thecontract. One of the key service areas identified to contribute to these savings was procurement, which transferred to Capita as a managed service at the start of the contract.
Recognising the goals
Capita inherited a procurement function from Southampton that was principally administrative and tactical, albeit significant work had been done pre transfer to identify potential saving
opportunity areas. Right from the outset Capita Procurement Services was set the task of transforming the Council’s procurement operation into an integrated procurement solution
that will secure £33 million in savings towards the Council’s overall savings target during the lifetime of the 10-year contract.
Realising the objectives
Initially Capita’s primary focus was to stabilise the service and then implement structured changes that would enhance and standardise the Council’s procurement processes and improve the level of service delivery. This was to be followed by a programme of training and
development to improve the team’s skills set.
Reaping the benefits
Capita Procurement Services has carried out numerous projects since the inception of the partnership in October 2007, all of which have yielded results.
To date the transformational initiatives undertaken by Procurement Services have led to major cost savings – contributing to achieving its overall target and consequently freeing up public money – but it has also achieved improved efficiencies and best value, with the added
benefit of being able to deliver enhanced front-line public services.
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