Whitsunday Regional Council’s Director of Corporate Services Graham Jarvis has won an award for procurement at the Local Buy, Government Procurement Professionals Awards 2014.
In 2013 Mr Jarvis initiated a project to improve the procurement practices of the Council and undertook a systematic and operational review of procurement practices and was able to recommend a number of cost reductions and improvements to systems and procedures.
Mayor Jennifer Whitney said it is a remarkable reflection of Mr Jarvis’ great work in the procurement area over the past 14 months for him to receive such an important award in the Local Government sector.
“At a time when Council is operating under tight financial constraints Graham has delivered an innovative policy which saves money, while also delivering better services.
“To demonstrate the commitment Graham has for delivering this project, he is proposing to contribute the awarded bursary back into the Council to benefit staff training and personal development.
Whitsunday Regional Council is now beginning to roll out a new procurement manual, contracts and training for staff.
Changes made to the program and policy include a review of ICT contacts, a review of warehouse stock lists, new contract and consultancy templates and new purchase card procedures.
Following these changes a new procurement website for both council and suppliers will be constructed that will feature online procurement training for staff.
The Government Procurement Professionals Awards are designed to recognise the significant contribution that staff make within the Local Government sector.
