A refreshed procurement strategy and policy which make it easier for small businesses to bid for work has been approved by 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute Council.
The updated Procurement Strategy 2020/21 and Sustainable Procurement Policy set out to ensure the council achieves best value in its procurement processes and that small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are supported to deliver improvements for the people and communities in 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute.
Councillors approved the strategy and policy, which guide the way the council buys goods and services over the next year, at a meeting of the full council today (October 17). The updates were informed by a public consultation, which closed in September.
Councillor Rory Colville, 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Customer Support Services, said: “The Procurement Strategy and Sustainable Procurement Policy ensure we get good quality goods and services while delivering financial savings that can be used for frontline services. And just as importantly, the updated documents make it as easy as possible for local businesses, suppliers and contractors to bid for work with the council.â€
The Sustainable Procurement Policy includes a commitment to help achieve population growth through the development of our local economies – a key objective for the council.
Also today, it was announced that local suppliers across 51³Ô¹ÏÃâ·ÑApp and Bute are being offered free training and advice on how they can improve their chances of winning council tenders.