Brigade welcomes Mayor's first responsible procurement review

13 February 2008

The report follows the implementation of a responsible procurement strategy in 2006 adopted by all group members. It ensures that when making procurement decisions organisations encourage a diverse base of suppliers and work with companies who themselves adopt fair employment practices. Ethical sourcing practices and environmental sustainability are also a key part of the procurement process.

Brigade achievements have included:

• Winning a number of awards, including the City of London Corporation’s Sustainable City Award in 2006
  
• Introducing a major green programme which includes fitting fire stations with solar panels, wind turbines and other sustainable technologies and ‘good housekeeping’ to reduce energy usage – saving so far £350k per year
  
• Innovative waste and recycling schemes from a London wide waste contract to making fashion belts out of recycled fire hoses
  
• Replacing the Brigade’s operational vehicle fleet with less polluting vehicles to meet the new Low Emission Zone standards.
• By considering environmental, social and economic issues, organisations hope to give Londoners maximum benefit from the way in which the Group makes its £3 billion plus annual purchases of goods and services.

The report, issued yesterday (Monday 11th Jan) by the Mayor of London, sets out what has been delivered in the first year of implementation with specific case studies, explains how the Group supports its suppliers in understanding and responding to the policy and summarises how the Group plans to take Responsible Procurement forward.

Val Shawcross, Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority said: “We’ve made a commitment to get the best for Londoners when we buy goods and services and to give opportunities for a diverse range of suppliers to access Authority contracts. Organisations serving the Capital procure billions of pounds worth of goods and services every year, so by working together we can make a positive impact on both the environment and the people who live and work in our city.”

For more information about the Mayor’s review see http:/­/­www.london.gov.uk/­rp/

Note to editors:
The Greater London Authority Group comprises the Greater London Authority, the London Development Agency, Transport for London, the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Metropolitan Police Service.

Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:

telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk