by Paul O'Brien
Tuesday 06 February 2007
In Gateshead today to view the Sage Centre as a venue for the Association's Annual Seminar in September. Like what we see, a purpose built conference venue, it will do for us. Representatives from Gateshead Council have encouraged us to bring the event here and their support and enthusiasm makes us feel wanted. The fact we also find a venue with a capacity of 750 for the annual dinner clinches the deal.
Go across to see the Chief Executive of the North East Centre of Excellence, David Wright and like what he has to say about sustainable procurement and community benefit clauses. He invites me onto the local government sustainable procurement working group chaired by Roger Latham and I am happy to participate as this is an area APSE has been at the forefront of research in for a number of years. The key to success in this area is the public sector in general, local government in particular, leading by example in ensuring that the huge spend it makes and the services it delivers are compliant with sustainability principles.
