Comments on: Enough should be enough…. http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/ The Blog of Sue Brooks, Hervey Bay - Fraser Coast Sat, 12 May 2012 06:18:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: sue http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-648 sue Mon, 04 May 2009 09:52:14 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-648 Does Council have printing work done locally? Answer = yes and no! I have now had a chance to view the quotes that Council received in relation to the printing of business cards. The job was awarded to a non local, non Brisbane but Queensland firm, that did quote a considerably cheaper price than any local business. I have been advised that the original EOI went out to seven suppliers (5 local, 2 non-local). Council received 5 responses. I have personally viewed this information as supplied to me by Council staff, including the prices quoted. The catch 22 that a 'local buy' policy can foster is that local businesses raise prices. They know they have a captive customer in the local government. I don't believe that is the case in most instances but I do believe in value for money etc. Some of the information I have gathered in relation to printing however, leads me to believe that Council should do two things. Firstly we should speak directly to the industry to ensure that what we are asking is appropriate and that our needs are being met in an economically and efficient manner. In other words our requirements should make best use of industry knowledge and advice. From personal experience I have learned that they way in which information is supplied to printers (formatting etc) is vital if one wants to reduce costs and that printers do advise on the best and most economical way to achieve a result. We also need to be sure that when Council goes out to the industry and asks for quotes that the quote is solid and that we don't then start varying our requirements. I believe this could give unfair advantage. Lastly I advise that every business in the region that is in the position to supply services to Council should actively inform Council about their service and/or product so that Council can update our records and include businesses on our lists. Lists that are used to invite quotations in the first instance. I am enquiring as to the best method for Council to use to update this process post amalgamation! It must be understood that under certain financial thresholds everything to procure services etc is done via staff and is not reported to Councillors. This is as it should be but I will ask more questions specifically in relation to updating supplier lists regularly and also to try and ensure that our printing requirements are not costing us extra or making it unlikely that our local providers want to quote on the work required. Does Council have printing work done locally? Answer = yes and no! I have now had a chance to view the quotes that Council received in relation to the printing of business cards. The job was awarded to a non local, non Brisbane but Queensland firm, that did quote a considerably cheaper price than any local business. I have been advised that the original EOI went out to seven suppliers (5 local, 2 non-local). Council received 5 responses. I have personally viewed this information as supplied to me by Council staff, including the prices quoted.
The catch 22 that a ‘local buy’ policy can foster is that local businesses raise prices. They know they have a captive customer in the local government. I don’t believe that is the case in most instances but I do believe in value for money etc.
Some of the information I have gathered in relation to printing however, leads me to believe that Council should do two things. Firstly we should speak directly to the industry to ensure that what we are asking is appropriate and that our needs are being met in an economically and efficient manner. In other words our requirements should make best use of industry knowledge and advice. From personal experience I have learned that they way in which information is supplied to printers (formatting etc) is vital if one wants to reduce costs and that printers do advise on the best and most economical way to achieve a result. We also need to be sure that when Council goes out to the industry and asks for quotes that the quote is solid and that we don’t then start varying our requirements. I believe this could give unfair advantage.
Lastly I advise that every business in the region that is in the position to supply services to Council should actively inform Council about their service and/or product so that Council can update our records and include businesses on our lists. Lists that are used to invite quotations in the first instance. I am enquiring as to the best method for Council to use to update this process post amalgamation! It must be understood that under certain financial thresholds everything to procure services etc is done via staff and is not reported to Councillors. This is as it should be but I will ask more questions specifically in relation to updating supplier lists regularly and also to try and ensure that our printing requirements are not costing us extra or making it unlikely that our local providers want to quote on the work required.

]]> By: Jeanette Maynes http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-628 Jeanette Maynes Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:10:07 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-628 Thank you Sue, that's very kind!!!! I wish everyone realised that making even the smallest changes can add up to help conserve our environment! Thank you Sue, that’s very kind!!!!
I wish everyone realised that making even the smallest changes can add up to help conserve our environment!

]]> By: Sue http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-625 Sue Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:20:37 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-625 Congratulations to Design House who have recently become ecoBiz accredited. Great to see a local business doing the right thing when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint etc. Well done to you. http://www.designhouse.com.au/design-house-news/general-news/design-house-values-sustainability Cheers, Sue Congratulations to Design House who have recently become ecoBiz accredited. Great to see a local business doing the right thing when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint etc. Well done to you.
http://www.designhouse.com.au/design-house-news/general-news/design-house-values-sustainability
Cheers, Sue

]]> By: Jeanette Maynes http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-577 Jeanette Maynes Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:11:47 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-577 Hi Sue, I competively quote all over Australia and I can assure you council would not save $1000's on print jobs by not using local printers and who says local printers can't compete. (especially when it is a known fact that council has not put past jobs out to tender to our Fraser Coast printers). Sue it was not 2 years ago it was last September and the evidence is right here; http://jeanettemaynes.com.au/2008/10/07/logo/ Here is a direct question: Where does council have their business cards printed? As I know what local printers quoted on that job (which I was in shock at how low the quotes were) and I know the only place that could possibly under cut that price by a minimal margin is in WA... Anyway to me it feels any transparency in council is a long way off.... (though your blog is a great start Sue ) Kind regards Jeanette www.designhouse.com.au Hi Sue,

I competively quote all over Australia and I can assure you council would not save $1000′s on print jobs by not using local printers and who says local printers can’t compete. (especially when it is a known fact that council has not put past jobs out to tender to our Fraser Coast printers).

Sue it was not 2 years ago it was last September and the evidence is right here; http://jeanettemaynes.com.au/2008/10/07/logo/

Here is a direct question:
Where does council have their business cards printed?
As I know what local printers quoted on that job (which I was in shock at how low the quotes were) and I know the only place that could possibly under cut that price by a minimal margin is in WA…

Anyway to me it feels any transparency in council is a long way off…. (though your blog is a great start Sue )

Kind regards

Jeanette
http://www.designhouse.com.au

]]> By: sue http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-574 sue Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:15:10 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-574 The answer is not 'NO' Sadman. Council already has an emphasis on buying local but we also consider price etc. The LGAQ facilitates a "Local Buy' programme also. My enquiries today inform me that much Council printing is done locally, some is done via Brissy etc and the only 'WA' product we have, that I am aware of, is a supply of carbonless receipting books from the former HBCC. We will use the entire supply of these I hope before we source a different supplier. If the price difference on offer for a product or service is thousands of dollars in savings, then two things occur to me. Firstly is Council justified in spending more of your money locally when best value is not going to be obtained and secondly why can't local printers compete? I haven't asked about 'oils ain't oils' yet! So my response is that Council already has a big focus on Local Buy but, not 12 months ago, 4 Councils were sourcing their own supplies. This year FCRC will be examining the issue more closely as we have greater buying power. Last year was a year of learning and assessing and bringing us all together not just into the same book but hopefully onto the same page! So instead of being critical can you please focus on suggesting what we need to do better and offer alternative local products that may have not been considered prior amalgamation please? You say you 'know Council'. So please provide your evidence...... and suggest what we can do better please? I'm tired of generalised non evidence based comment. Give me the facts please. We buy vehicles locally, food locally, stationery locally, hire equipment locally...... Please ask questions and provide evidence not just generalise. Times change and what may have been the case 2 years ago is not necessarily the case now! I'm sounding emotive and probably shouldn't be (sorry) but Council receives a lot of criticism some of it justified but much crticism isn't justified. I will do my best to ensure that our Corporate and Operational Plans reflect Local Buy. The answer is not ‘NO’ Sadman. Council already has an emphasis on buying local but we also consider price etc. The LGAQ facilitates a “Local Buy’ programme also. My enquiries today inform me that much Council printing is done locally, some is done via Brissy etc and the only ‘WA’ product we have, that I am aware of, is a supply of carbonless receipting books from the former HBCC. We will use the entire supply of these I hope before we source a different supplier.
If the price difference on offer for a product or service is thousands of dollars in savings, then two things occur to me. Firstly is Council justified in spending more of your money locally when best value is not going to be obtained and secondly why can’t local printers compete?
I haven’t asked about ‘oils ain’t oils’ yet! So my response is that Council already has a big focus on Local Buy but, not 12 months ago, 4 Councils were sourcing their own supplies. This year FCRC will be examining the issue more closely as we have greater buying power. Last year was a year of learning and assessing and bringing us all together not just into the same book but hopefully onto the same page!
So instead of being critical can you please focus on suggesting what we need to do better and offer alternative local products that may have not been considered prior amalgamation please?
You say you ‘know Council’. So please provide your evidence…… and suggest what we can do better please? I’m tired of generalised non evidence based comment. Give me the facts please. We buy vehicles locally, food locally, stationery locally, hire equipment locally…… Please ask questions and provide evidence not just generalise. Times change and what may have been the case 2 years ago is not necessarily the case now!
I’m sounding emotive and probably shouldn’t be (sorry) but Council receives a lot of criticism some of it justified but much crticism isn’t justified. I will do my best to ensure that our Corporate and Operational Plans reflect Local Buy.

]]> By: Sadman http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-573 Sadman Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:31:55 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-573 Sue, The question was "is council buying local", based on your post the answer is NO. So why isn't it? You will say, because of the price differential, but does this take into account all the factors? Knowing council, the answer is NO. Sue,the problems we are facing aren't new, they have been building for many years. Councillors are leaders, they must have known this was on it,s way, yet they did nothing!!!! Some one needs to stand up in council and tell it like it is. You would have my total support if you do it. But no, we will just lurch from problem to problem, Sad isn't it? Sadman Sue,

The question was “is council buying local”, based on your post the
answer is NO.

So why isn’t it?
You will say, because of the price differential, but does this take
into account all the factors?
Knowing council, the answer is NO.

Sue,the problems we are facing aren’t new, they have been
building for many years. Councillors are leaders, they must have
known this was on it,s way, yet they did nothing!!!!

Some one needs to stand up in council and tell it like it is.
You would have my total support if you do it. But no, we will just
lurch from problem to problem, Sad isn’t it?

Sadman

]]> By: sue http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-571 sue Sun, 15 Mar 2009 21:16:29 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-571 Ben and Jeanette both rightfully point the finger at Council. Is Council 'buying local'? As part of the focus this year, as described in the FCRC Draft Corporate Plan, to reduce our carbon footprint, we will be assessing these issues. Transition Towns is also undertaking an 'energy descent action plan'. Together I hope that our entire community, especially Council, will be choosing to buy local and to do business locally. Ben and Jeanette both rightfully point the finger at Council. Is Council ‘buying local’? As part of the focus this year, as described in the FCRC Draft Corporate Plan, to reduce our carbon footprint, we will be assessing these issues. Transition Towns is also undertaking an ‘energy descent action plan’. Together I hope that our entire community, especially Council, will be choosing to buy local and to do business locally.

]]> By: Jeanette Maynes http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-569 Jeanette Maynes Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:17:01 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-569 Great story Sue!!!!! Nice comments Ben... Oh, but where is the majority of the Councils printing getting done? I heard Western Australia (not even Queensland) or has that also gone overseas? Please feel free to view my locally owned business; www.designhouse.com.au Great story Sue!!!!!

Nice comments Ben…

Oh, but where is the majority of the Councils printing getting done?
I heard Western Australia (not even Queensland) or has that also gone overseas?

Please feel free to view my locally owned business; http://www.designhouse.com.au

]]> By: Ben Collingwood http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-568 Ben Collingwood Sun, 15 Mar 2009 03:29:37 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-568 Could not agree more with your sentiment Sue. We've been victims of consumerism for too long - we've got to have the biggest and best and then some. But, how often do we look at the tag and see where it comes from? What is the point of buying a $20 pair of foreign made shoes when a $30 pair of Aussie made ones will last longer and help keep a fellow Australian in a job? I am always happy to pay a little more for Aussie made and even better if its Aussie owned also. Big undies manufacturer Bonds really needs to re-think their actions - they underestimate the Australian public I feel. Here's food for thought - Does council buy Australian / locally owned where possible? One example I can suggest is oil - what oils do council's workshops use in its vehicle fleet? My thought is it will be one of the big overseas companies. Out near the airport in Hervey Bay, Synforce Lubricants manufactures quality lubricants. It would be great to hear council and its subsidiaries are swapping to their products. How about it Sue? We can all play a part in keeping local businesses alive by shopping around and I hope others add to the list of businesses we can all support. Could not agree more with your sentiment Sue. We’ve been victims of consumerism for too long – we’ve got to have the biggest and best and then some.

But, how often do we look at the tag and see where it comes from? What is the point of buying a $20 pair of foreign made shoes when a $30 pair of Aussie made ones will last longer and help keep a fellow Australian in a job? I am always happy to pay a little more for Aussie made and even better if its Aussie owned also. Big undies manufacturer Bonds really needs to re-think their actions – they underestimate the Australian public I feel.

Here’s food for thought – Does council buy Australian / locally owned where possible?

One example I can suggest is oil – what oils do council’s workshops use in its vehicle fleet? My thought is it will be one of the big overseas companies.

Out near the airport in Hervey Bay, Synforce Lubricants manufactures quality lubricants. It would be great to hear council and its subsidiaries are swapping to their products. How about it Sue?

We can all play a part in keeping local businesses alive by shopping around and I hope others add to the list of businesses we can all support.

]]> By: sue http://suebrooks.com.au/2009/enough-should-be-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-567 sue Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:32:54 +0000 http://suebrooks.com.au/?p=365#comment-567 Ah sadman you make me smile..... Nothing wrong with consumerism after all if we don't consume food we die! I don't mind sports people and film stars getting paid millions as they only achieve this wealth due to people (like us) watching them or buying products associated with sponsorship deals etc. In other words consuming their product. I also have no argument about people becoming wealthy due to being innovative and creative and taking risks etc BUT I abhor people becoming wealthy due to greed or unethical practices! Glad your sense of humour is also alive and well..... Sue Ah sadman you make me smile….. Nothing wrong with consumerism after all if we don’t consume food we die! I don’t mind sports people and film stars getting paid millions as they only achieve this wealth due to people (like us) watching them or buying products associated with sponsorship deals etc. In other words consuming their product.
I also have no argument about people becoming wealthy due to being innovative and creative and taking risks etc BUT I abhor people becoming wealthy due to greed or unethical practices! Glad your sense of humour is also alive and well…..
Sue

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