The Scottish Executive announced that Glasgow City Council had joined the project on 9 September 2005. This brings the number of public sector bodies signed up stands to 56.
eProcurement Scotland provides a common platform for the public sector to procure a wide range of goods and services. 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."
Minister for finance and public service reform Tom McCabe predicted that more bodies will soon sign up.
"The benefits of eProcurement Scotland are huge," he said. "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 £2.5bn, 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."
Quelle: KableNET, 12.09.2005
