HEPA Digest: March 2021

Climate Literacy for Procurement learning

The Scottish Government has released a Climate Literacy for Procurement learning module.  The module aims to give those in procurement confidence to minimise risks and maximise opportunities associated with climate change.  Further to liaison through APUC, it has been confirmed that the Scottish Government has kindly agreed that the learning can be accessed nationally, on a UK wide basis, by colleagues across the HE sector - you can register for and access the module here.

SDG tender & call-off questions

The UKUPC has developed a set of tender and call-off questions aligned to the UN Sustainable development Goals (SDGs) and Social Value Themes Outcomes & Measures (TOMs).  The questions can be used to further investigate potential suppliers’ commitments and plans to manage their organisations and supply chains in accordance with the SDGs.  You can download the questions here.

Focus on Packaging

Hot on the heels of last months release of the HESCET Scope 3 calculation tool, the HEPA Responsible Procurement Group packaging sub-group have released a wonderful set of resources focusing on packaging.  You can read all about them here, including downloading your copy of the Sustainability Risk Analysis by PROC_HE 2.

Incoterms

Many thanks to everybody who joined us for the brilliant time to talk with David Miller of the Customs People which covered Incoterms.  A copy of the very informative slides is available here for your reference. 

Upcoming events – apprenticeships and meet the social enterprise

We delighted to be able to open bookings for our next set of time to talks as well as the first session in our new meet the social enterprise series.

Time to talk:  Apprenticeships:  In conjunction with RSM and colleagues in UHR we are delighted to be running two free sessions – part 1 and part 2 – covering apprenticeships:

• Part 1, 19 April @ 10AM: The apprenticeship levy was introduced in 2017, but only approximately a third of the education sector currently offer apprenticeships and many Providers don’t fully utilise the Levy they pay.  Our interactive session will explore some of the risks of not embracing the apprenticeship levy and the role of finance colleagues in ensuring value for money and getting what you pay for.  Book your free place here!
• Part 2, 22 April @ 2PM: The session will focus on Apprenticeship assurance and compliance matters, specifically targeting common issues identified in HE provision.  It will also give an overview of the ESFA assurance approach and advice on how to keep on the right side of the rules.  Book your free place here!

Meet the Social Enterprise:  Belu:  Following on from our time to talk with Social Enterprise UK and the inspirational plenary with Claire Dove CBE at the BUFDG Conference we are delighted to present the first in our meet the social enterprise series, starting with Belu on 28 April at 09:30 via MS Teams.  As ever, bookings are free for you, your team and colleagues in sustainability and hospitality teams are more than welcome – please pass this invite on to them, and book your own place here!

Learning & Development:  the Cabinet Office Standards & Continuous Improvement team have a series of Masterclasses running throughout April, including a session on driving value through competitive negotiation.  Check out all of the Masterclasses in the HEPA calendar, and register direct with the Cabinet Office through Eventbrite free of charge.

BUFDG 2021

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for BUFDG 2021.  We were thrilled to be joined by 769 delegates, 135 speakers and 164 supporters representing 140 HEIs and nearly 80 supporting organisations for 7 plenaries, 34 workshops, 20 breakout sessions and 4 socials.  What a week! 

A round-up of the programme is available on the Conference website here.  Those who attended can catch-up on any of the workshops or plenaries here.  I am biased, but my personal recommendations would be the aforementioned Social Value plenary which kicked off HEPA Wednesday, Jonathan Davey’s truly brilliant session on transforming public procurement after Brexit and Covid and Mike Rogerson’s fantastic take on higher education and modern slavery – the risks beyond the Modern Slavery Act. 

Consortia Conferences

• SUPC and LUPC members can register for what looks to be a fascinating Conference on 20 May here – the agenda includes how to thrive in the changing world of public procurement, a procurement transformation case study from the University of Cambridge and an update on the social value sector TOMs.
• NEUPC and NWUPC members should save 17 June in their calendar for the NEUPC and NWUPC Conference.
• The 2021 Scottish HE/FE Procurement Network Conference will take place at the University of Stirling on the 5/6th October – again, save the date!

Round-up

• Do take the time to read UMAL Chief Executive Paul Cusition’s piece: Insurance should be on your radar;
• Check out HMRC’s guidance: things to consider when you appoint a customs intermediatory;
• Watch Julia’s fantastic off-payroll working rules session here;
• Find out about the Home Office’s new registry for Modern Slavery statements here.

Last, but by no means least – have you read Bill Blain’s Morning Porridge today?  Are supply chains hovering on the edge of anarchy… do you need any garden furniture?