Local government targets branded 'unrealistic'
28 August 2012
Local government purchasing professionals have clashed with chief executives over whether chancellor Gordon Brown's savings could be achieved.
John Scowen, chairman of the Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government, branded the projected £3 billion of savings through better procurement as unrealistic.
He said the government would have to employ at least 300 extra purchasing professionals - one per council - if it wanted them to adopt a more strategic approach.
But Tim Byles, secretary of...