The Council is keen to encourage a diverse mix of suppliers both large and small. The aim of this guide is to provide some key information on how the Council buys a wide range of goods and services. All procedures relating to the purchase of goods, services and works are established in the Council’s main procedural rules.

Public procurement is a key lever in achieving the Government’s missions by sourcing goods and services that deliver value for money, including social and economic value across the commercial lifecycle that drives sustainable economic growth and benefits local communities, raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom.

Contracting authorities can deliver value for money by:

• driving economic growth and strengthening supply chains by giving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) a fair chance, creating high quality jobs and championing innovation
• delivering social and economic value that supports the Government’s missions including by working in partnership across organisational boundaries where appropriate
• ensuring the right commercial capability and standards are in place to procure and manage contracts effectively and to collaborate with other contracting authorities to deliver best value