Procurement policy
Procurement in local Councils is controlled by a National Strategy.
What is Procurement?
Procurement is about buying goods, works and services, either from other companies or from in-house providers.
The procurement process covers the whole cycle from identification of needs, to the end of the contract or useful life of a product/asset. It includes considering options and the critical 'make or buy' decision.
The National Strategy
The national strategy for Local Government Procurement is available from the Department for Communities & Local Government.
See also: Solihull's Procurement Policy.
National Procurement Concordat for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
The Concordat, part of the Government’s National Procurement Strategy, sets out what small firms and others supplying can expect when tendering for Local Authority contracts and is designed to stimulate a competitive marketplace. It also sets out steps that all Local Authorities can take to ensure that suppliers of all kinds are treated equally, as well as what Local Authorities should expect in return.
See also: The Concordat document
The Business Charter for Social Responsibility
The Business Charter for Social Responsibility complements the Concordat.
The Charter describes the way the Council and its partners will behave. Although not a legal document, the Charter describes a number of specific areas in which a joint commitment will be demonstrated:
- Employment
- Equality & Diversity
- Managing Risk
- Subcontracting to other businesses / third sector organisations
- Sustainability & Waste Elimination
- Safeguarding
- Corporate Parenting
The Charter embodies Corporate Social Responsibility, which is simply good business practice. It embraces how organisations are run and their commitment to all stakeholders.
The Charter was launched on 1st September 2009.
A list of businesses that have signed up to the charter can be found in the Business Concordat Register.
Contact Details
For more information, please phone the Corporate Procurement Service
Telephone: 0121 704 6089
Email: procurementteam@solihull.gov.uk