The document discusses procurement risk management for councillors and lessons that can be learned from past procurement disasters. It outlines a procurement positioning model and procurement cycle. The procurement cycle involves 8 stages from identifying needs to contract closure. Gateway reviews can be used to scrutinize stages like supplier appraisal and tender evaluation to reduce risk. Case studies of past procurement failures are analyzed to identify issues, what went wrong, and which stages could have benefited from effective scrutiny. Key lessons include having skilled procurement teams, properly positioning procurement, considering alternative solutions and total costs, ensuring contracts provide all needs, allowing sufficient time, and applying risk management.