Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain

Members considered a quarterly progress report of the Chamberlain regarding City Procurement and the following points were made.

·         In response to a question, the Chamberlain replied that no suppliers had invoked force majeure since the onset of COVID-19. Some suppliers had noted that it may have been necessary at the onset of the crisis, but proactive supplier management by representatives of the City had mitigated supplier those concerns.

·         A Member noted that the Chamberlain should ensure that City Procurement’s approach to SME suppliers was aligned with wider City of London Corporation policy e.g. SME support in development by Innovation & Growth.

·         In response to a comment, the Chamberlain confirmed that City Procurement would be alive to the possibility to support SMEs based within the City of London, whilst striking an appropriate balance between supporting viable businesses and allowing market forces to take their course.

RESOLVED, that the report be received.