Scotland Excel FAQs

Questions:

Question: What is Scotland Excel?

Answer: Scotland Excel is the Centre of Procurement Expertise for the local government sector in Scotland. We work collaboratively with members and suppliers to raise procurement standards, secure best value for customers, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector procurement in Scotland. We tender and manage a growing portfolio of contracts.

Question: Why was Scotland Excel established?

Answer: Scotland Excel was established in 2008 following a review of public procurement in Scotland by John F. McClelland CBE which called for better collaboration between public sector organisations. Councils in Scotland agreed to create a Centre of Procurement Expertise known as Scotland Excel to help achieve Best Value public services by securing significant cost reductions through increased collaboration and improved procurement performance, capacity and capability. We are one of five Centres of Procurement Expertise for the public sector in Scotland.

Question: How is Scotland Excel funded?

Answer: Scotland Excel is a non-profit making organisation, owned and funded by all participating organisations. Councils pay a subscription based on their population and associate members pay a fee based on their size.

Question: How is Scotland Excel managed?

Answer: Scotland Excel is governed by a Joint Committee of elected members from all local authority partners which is responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation as well as approving the annual budget and business plan.

A smaller group of elected members, the Executive Sub-Committee, meet regularly to approve contract awards and other key business decisions, while responsibility for reviewing performance against targets is delegated to a Management Group of six local authority Chief Executives. Renfrewshire Council is the lead authority for Scotland Excel providing administrative and other support services required by the organisation.

Question: Where is Scotland Excel based?

Answer: Scotland Excel's is in Paisley. We also have three regional offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Inverness.

Question: Is Scotland Excel the Authorities Buying Consortium (abc)?

Answer: Scotland Excel is not the Authorities Buying Consortium (abc). abc, an organisation that provided procurement services to 12 west of Scotland councils, was disbanded on 31st March 2008 and the staff and facilities of abc transferred to Scotland Excel to serve all Scottish local authorities.

Question: What role does Scotland Excel have in regulating local authority procurement?

Answer: Scotland Excel is not a regulator of local authority procurement. However, we do carry out Procurement Capability Assessments (PCA) of local authorities. The objective of the PCA is to assist councils to improve their structure, capability, processes and ultimately performance, by attaining a level of performance that is appropriate to the scale and complexity of their organisation through a collaborative approach called the Procurement Improvement Programme.

Question: Who deals with media enquiries?

Answer: For all media enquiries, please contact Maureen Robertson, Marketing and Communications Manager on 0141 842 6642 or email Maureen Robertson.

Question: How can I make a Freedom of Information (FOI) request?

Answer: FOI requests should be made through our online enquiry facility.