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There are more than 2,000 public sector construction frameworks currently active in the UK today.

Just let that figure sink in for a moment. Two thousand. Each one of them either being used by local authorities, housing associations and other public bodies, or promoting themselves for future use.

No wonder procurement officers across the country have a baffling array of methods for choosing which framework is appropriate for their specific need 鈥� and, frankly, are often disappointed to find that many providers are not able to deliver the quality suppliers, technical support or social value that their local communities need most.

But this is something that a new scheme is now starting to tackle.

is an independent verification scheme run by Constructing Excellence. Its work was kickstarted by the Government in 2021 and led by Professor David Mosey, of the Centre of Construction Law, King鈥檚 College London, who conducted an objective, independent review of public sector construction frameworks.

Strategic planning, integrated teams

At the publication of Mosey鈥檚 final report, the Cabinet Office announced that: 鈥淭his review recognises the potential of frameworks as a powerful engine-room for implementing Construction Playbook policies that include strategic planning, integrated teams, continuous improvement and the delivery of better, safer, faster and greener project outcomes.鈥�

This then led to the creation of the Gold Standard verification scheme, requiring public sector frameworks to prove they were fulfilling 24 crucial recommendations., demonstrating a measurable and tangible commitment to disciplines that would improve the lot of local authorities and organisations looking for the best in framework practice.

What does that mean? Well, a lot of hard work for one thing.

To be verified, framework providers are monitored independently to prove that they are following best practice as laid out in the recommendations. Try this for starters鈥�

Framework providers, clients and suppliers [must] make clear how their framework strategy, procurement, contract and management will achieve improved building safety, net zero carbon targets, long-term relationships, fair returns, equitable treatment of risk, rewards for faster, better and greener delivery and collaboration at all levels of the supply chain.

Or this:

Framework providers, clients and managers [must] make framework appointments using evaluation criteria that identify SME strengths and also use 鈥榮upply chain collaboration鈥� to create supplier-led alliances with supply chains that include local and regional businesses鈥�.

To maximise social value, including improved employment, skills and environmental sustainability and the combatting of modern slavery, framework contracts should convert social value objectives into shared action plans with timescales and expected outcomes.

And those are just two of the recommendations. Frankly, it鈥檚 no mean feat to deliver proof of every requirement to the satisfaction of independent verifiers.

The verification process involves submitting detailed documentation and evidence demonstrating compliance with best practices and, after submission review, a cross-industry Gold Standard task group conducts final evaluations to ensure thoroughness and impartiality.

So, it is no surprise to learn that few have so far got over the line - only six public sector frameworks achieving verification to Gold Standard level across the whole of the UK. I am proud to say that LHC Procurement Group is one of them.

Shane Hughes, the independent verifier, confirmed that the task group 鈥渁greed with the recommendation that the LHC Procurement Group has appropriate measures and activities in place across its entire operation as a national framework provider that complies with the requirements of 鈥楥onstructing the Gold Standard鈥� at each of the key stages of strategy, procurement, contract and management.鈥�

So far, LHCPG is the only regional framework provider that has achieved this verification across all its regions and all its frameworks. But over time others will follow, I hope. And it means that going forward, contracting authorities will more easily be able to identify those frameworks which meet best practices and embody the policies set out in the Construction Playbook.

That can only be a good thing for local authorities and housing associations, the communities they serve, taxpayers, and the public sector framework industry itself.

To find out more about LHC Procurement Group鈥檚 Gold Standard verification, go to: