The Landscape Institute has raised the problems of procurement directly with government in recent months. We also have a link to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment.
Through this group we worked with other professional bodies to lobby interested MPs to bring about urgent changes in the way that the services of landscape architects are procured, particularly by public sector clients. As a result, the All Party Parliamentary Group has decided to call a major enquiry into the matter.
This is a very important opportunity for LI members to say how they think procurement should be improved. We know that there are particular barriers that make it difficult for practices to bid for work, such as excessive insurance requirements. The really important thing is to clearly articulate how we think an efficient procurement system should operate so as to provide a level playing field.
If you have examples of particularly bad practice, particularly good practice, or any practical suggestions to offer about how systems can be improved, please send them to me before the end of June. If you would be willing to give oral evidence to the All Parliamentary Group as well, please let me know.
Coming up soon is our 2011 student conference http://thebiglandscapeconference.ning.com. There is a fantastic lineup of speakers and plenty of debate and discussion, so if you are wondering what the profession will be doing in future years, come along and have your say.
Finally, I’d like to say how much I am looking forward to going to meetings of the Northern Ireland and Northwest branches next month. I am always happy to take part in branch meetings, so if there is anything you want to tell me about or ask me about, please do let me know and I will come along if I can.