6.11 I recommend:-

1. A register based on ConReg should be compiled of consultant Firms seeking public sector work in the United Kingdom, to be kept by the DOE. Consultants not seeking public sector work would not need to register.

2. Local authorities and other public bodies should be strongly encouraged to make use of ConReg, rather than keeping their own registers.

3. The aim should be that public sector work should be restricted to consultant firms who are on ConReg, which should be regularly reviewed. Firms applying to go on the register should be required to demonstrate some appropriate professional and managerial skills, the availability of resources and adequate professional indemnity insurance.

4. A charge should be levied on those firms joining the register to help defray the cost to public funds.

5. A small task force should be set up by the DOE in conjunction with other public and private clients and the CIC, to choose and then endorse a specific quality and price assessment mechanism for the engagement of professional consultants. The chosen route should then be set out in the CSCP. The task force may also wish to consider other detailed issues related to prequalification of consultants and the development of ConReg.