Sustainable response dismays buyers

After months of delay, the government has finally responded to the recommendations of the Sustainable Procurement Task Force (SPTF). And, to the surprise of many involved in the original plan, Whitehall has rejected one of its central aims and failed to build on the momentum the SPTF had generated. The UK Government Sustainable Procurement Action Plan rejects the suggestion that a single department should take the lead on sustainable procurement. "Sustainable development is a cross-departmental agenda and no part of it can be delivered by one department acting alone," says the government's response. "We therefore do not believe the single departmental owne rship model is appropriate." The response sets out plans to strengthen sustainable procurement leadership with permanent secretaries accountable for their department's progress. There are also plans to nominate a sustainable procurement "champion" to report directly to the head of the civil service. Whitehall also said it would begin consultations on the creation of a centre of sustainable procurement excellence. But it deferred any decision on commercial directors being appointed to boards of departments - as suggested by the SPTF - stating that their representation should be assessed by the OGC.