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, and was launched on 1st September 2009. It should be viewed in conjunction with the Self Assessment Reporting Tool.

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
• Fraud

The Charter embodies Corporate Social Responsibility, which is simply good business practice. It embraces how organisations are run and their commitment to all stakeholders.

A description of the background and development of the Business Charter for Social Responsibility is available.

A list of businesses that have signed up to the Charter can be found in the Business Charter Register.

Audit

Solihull MBC policies regarding:

• Fraud - Anti Fraud & Corruption Policy
• Money Laundering - Money Laundering Policy
• Bribery - Prevention of Bribery Policy
• Whistleblowing - Whistleblowing Policy

can be found via the above links
 

Contact Details

For more information,  please phone the Corporate Procurement Service

Telephone: 0121 704 6089

Email: procurementteam@solihull.gov.uk