Newsletter

February 2010

Driving Innovation in Construction

The GLA Group has become a lead partner in a new European project which aims to drive innovation in construction. The Sustainable Construction and Innovation Network, which is part of the European Commission’s Lead Markets initiative, brings together public authorities and other key construction sector stakeholders from across Europe to develop new sustainable solutions in public sector construction. The aim of the network is to:

Support public authorities to procure new, highly sustainable and cost-effective construction solutions
Help bring innovative construction technologies, products & methods onto the market
Spread knowledge within the European public sector about the latest construction solutions, and how to encourage innovation within procurement practices
Encourage greater dialogue between public procurers and suppliers about future public sector construction developments and market trends
Help inform future EU policy direction, including sustainable construction standards

The GLA Group and other lead partners from the UK, Italy, Finland, Austria and the Netherlands are currently establishing project working groups in specific areas including: Energy efficient school buildings; Life-cycle costing within construction projects; Stimulating innovation through procurement processes.

The working groups will produce practical recommendations, tools and case studies which will be available online. For further information or to express interest in participating in the network contact Collan Murray at collanmurray@tfl.gov.uk.

A First for London Fire Brigade

London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) first Sustainable Development Strategy was published in November 2009. The strategy highlights the Brigades achievements in taking forward the Mayor’s vision on Responsible Procurement including gaining Gold Standard of the Mayors Green Procurement Code.

The strategy also outlines the Brigade’s sustainable development framework covering: Equality and Social Inclusion; Climate Change; Environment and its Resources; Community Safety and Security; Health, Safety and Wellbeing; and Economic Sustainability. This framework aims to support all aspects of the GLA Group Group Responsible Procurement policy and identifies additional areas of relevance that go beyond the influence of procurement.

LFB Sustainable Development Strategy is available at
http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/Documents/
Sustainable_Development_Strategy.pdf .

If you wish to provide feedback please send your responses to environment@london-fire.gov.uk

Fire Hose couture is a hot look this season!

Two British designers have come up with an innovative way to make a range of stylish products from reclaimed fire hose.

After 25 years of service the decommissioned fire hoses from across the UK are collected and cleaned before being transformed into fashionable accessories such as handbags, belts, wash bags and clutches. With the exception of a few additions from Dutch fire hose which are black and olive green, almost all of this first collection is made from material acquired from fire stations throughout London. Besides solving the landfill problem this initiative is donating fifty per cent of profits made from the range to the Fire Fighters Charity.

The launched of the first collection was presented at the London Fashion Week and has attracted the attention of many celebrities who have been seen wearing them.

Raising Procurement Standard for Equality and Diversity!

Diversity Works for London (DWfL) is a programme within the London Development Agency design to enable businesses and employees to grow by measuring and managing diversity of the workforce.

DWfL is working towards the development of a common Procurement Standard for Equality and Diversity. The new Standard will assist businesses to tender for public sector contracts and will help drive through the diversity agenda.

If you wish to attend the launch of the Procurement Standard on 24 March and meet the DWfL team, please register directly via the following link http://www.rsvp-here.com/lda/dwfl/invitation/

Metropolitan Police Service Gets All Wrapped Up

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Director of Resources and Environment Champion, Anne McMeel has signed up on behalf of the MPS, to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) commitment.

Through this commitment the MPS will monitor waste arising and the reuse and recycling of materials on all construction projects with the aim of halving waste disposed to landfill by 2012. MPS has encouraged its construction partners and all aspects of the supply chain to take up the initiative which is expected to report considerable cost and carbon savings as a result.

For more information follow the link below:
http://www.wrap.org.uk/construction/
halving_waste_to_landfill/what_is_halving.html

Deputy Mayor rallies Boroughs Procurement Teams on RP!

On the 9th February 2010, the GLA Group hosted the London Contracts and Supplier Group (LCSG) quarterly meeting at City Hall. Richard Barnes, Deputy Mayor of London and Programme Sponsor for Responsible Procurement opened the event. Katherine Adams, Head of Responsible Procurement at the GLA Group gave an update on the RP programme. A number of key RP projects were showcased which offer support to boroughs.

To access all the presentations from the day, please check the Responsible Procurement website events page at the following link: http://www.london.gov.uk/rp/events/.

Skill up to 2012

Over 50 TfL suppliers attended the Skills and Employment event on the 11th February. The aim of the event was to facilitate networking, brokerage and funding opportunities between TfL suppliers and relevant agencies and organisations with a remit in skills and employment such as Job Centre Plus (JCP), National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and London Brokerage Limited delivering Train to Gain (TTG).

The Deputy Mayor of London, Richard Barnes, said: "As we come out of the recession it's of vital importance that we continue to invest in our workforce to ensure we build the skills needed to retain London's competitiveness and future prosperity. The Skills and Employment programme is a fine example of the GLA Group family working together to maximise networking, brokerage and funding opportunities between the capital's suppliers and businesses to create 3,000 apprenticeships across the GLA Group by 2012”.

Brendan Loughran, Group Director of Learning and Skills at the London Development Agency said “We are delighted to be working closely with Transport for London to achieve better employment opportunities for all Londoners and target our investment to meet critical employment and skills gaps

To view the presentation from the day please visit the RP website: www.london.gov.uk/rp

Best Supporting Green Oscar for the GLA Group

The GLA Group won a highly commended award for the Responsible Procurement Programme at the Sustainable City Awards.

Hailed as the ‘Green Oscars’ the awards were chosen by a judging panel consisting of environmental and sustainable experts, including the Rt Hon. John Gummer, MP, Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal, Samantha Heath, CEO of London Sustainability Exchange, and Penny Shepherd MBE, CEO of UK Social Investment Forum.

The GLA Group application included the group’s achievements on key priority areas including equality and diversity, London Living Wage, skills and employment and environmental sustainability.

Katherine Adams, Head of Responsible Procurement at the GLA Group said: “I’m really pleased that the hard work of the GLA Group has yet again been recognised by an external award”

Get Ready For....

From 1st April the e-learning tool on Responsible Procurement will be made available free of charge through the Responsible Procurement website to all GLA Group staff, suppliers and London Boroughs.

To access the e-learning tool please go to www.london.gov.uk/rp

Got a story? Get in touch

For more information on any of the articles in the RP newsletter or to get a story published please contact Monica Frega Poggioli at the following email address: ResponsibleProcurement@tfl.gov.uk

To sign up to quarterly updates of the Responsible Procurement newsletter log on to http://www.london.gov.uk/rp/resources/newsletter.jsp