Joint event between the Commission and partners in NW England, in particular NWIEP, Business Link, NWDA, NWEO, GMCC, NHS, CEMVO, ACAS and local authorities.
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Conference aims
The aim was to make real progress in embedding the principles of equality and diversity into those goods and services that are bought in by local government - currently over £10 billion in the North West. This event formed part of project to bring together the key agencies and business support organisations in the region, to really capitalise on progress and work together to identify and overcome barriers.
Presentations and case studies
Download our audio podcast from the event featuring key speakers from the event (to follow).
FSquared presented a case study of their work, which demonstrated how the East Line extension in London, linked to the Olympics, has succeeded in both expanding supplier & employment opportunities and making a compelling business case for the contractor Balfour Beatty.
The Government Equalities Office did a presentation on the new requirements concerning public procurement in the Equality Act.
'Pro Contract' is a web-based development which will allow small businesses and social enterprises to find out about and tender for contracts more easily. It should also provide much better information to local authorities about what types of businesses are winning them, as it includes the option for businesses to indicate if they are BME, LGB, Women or disability-led.
IDeA (the Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government) and Sefton Authority did a joint presentation on how they are successfully integrating Equality & Diversity into their supply chain with procurement and equality staff working much more closely together to devise the appropriate training, procedures and systems. For more guidance on equality and procurement visit the IDeA website.