This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Glasgow signs up for eProcurement
09/09/2005
The eProcurement Scotland project has taken another big step forward with Glasgow City Council, the largest local authority in the country, joining.
The total number of public sector bodies now signed up stands at 56.
The eProcurement Scotland project provides a common platform for the public sector to procure a wide range of goods and services so that savings and efficiencies for buyers and suppliers can be achieved as part of the Executive's Efficient Government initiative.
Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform Tom McCabe said:
"I am delighted Glasgow City Council has recognised the major benefits of eProcurement Scotland and joined the other public sector bodies which are already on board. We now have 56 bodies signed up - with more to follow.
"The benefits of eProcurement Scotland are huge. It will deliver savings and efficiencies for the buyers and suppliers. For a public body the size of Glasgow City Council with around 35,000 employees and a gross annual budget of almost £2.5 billion, the rewards are potentially enormous. I hope more councils and public bodies will get on board.
"Through our Efficient Government initiative, we are determined to cut out waste and duplication in the public sector and plough savings back into frontline services. There is no doubt eProcurement Scotland has a big role to play in helping us meet those goals - and the more organisations which follow the lead of Glasgow and sign up, the better."
Steven Purcell, Glasgow City Council Leader and the chair of the council's Efficient Government Development Group, said:
"It is very significant that the Council is joining ePS, and our involvement represents another key strand in our ongoing efficient government programme. Our purchasing system is going to be more streamlined and easier to use, and as a result, we will enjoy efficiencies and savings which will be re-directed into frontline Council services.
"We're determined to modernise local government and eradicate waste to ensure that every penny we spend benefits the people of Glasgow."