Tenders and contracts
South Ribble Borough Council spends approximately £9 million on goods and services with the private sector, each year, providing organisations of all sizes with a range of commercial opportunities. This section provides suppliers with an insight into how the Council carries out procurement activities. It gives details of the rules and procedures we must comply with and provides information on how we advertise procurement opportunities.
Selling to the Council
The Council operates a shared procurement service with Chorley Borough Council as part of a wider financial shared service partnership. The shared procurement team has responsibility for promoting and co-ordinating best practice across both authorities, supporting key procurements, and providing guidance and support to officers involved in the procurement process for individual procurement activities. Responsibility for individual service requirements, however, rests with the individual managers within the relevant service area.
A lack of information about contract opportunities and the Council's procedures may be stopping some organisations from applying for Council contracts. Check out our Selling to the Council Guide to overcome any difficulties, find out how we carry out our procurement activities, and how you can apply for council contracts. The Selling to the Council Guide includes a full list of Council service areas, key contacts and the range of goods and services those contacts may procure.
South Ribble Council and Chorley Borough Council share a Joint Procurement Strategy which defines the framework for promoting effective and responsible procurement across both Councils and includes a number of targets and actions to deliver the following four Joint Procurement Priorities:
- Procurement that is effectively managed and monitored complying with relevant rules both internal and external
- Procurement that engages all buyers/commissioners, is market aware and delivers sustained competitiveness and value for money
- Procurement that is inclusive, sustainable and socially responsible
- Procurement that works with partners and suppliers to everyone's advantage and exploits the benefits of technology
The Council has also adopted a Sustainable Procurement Policy and encourages it's suppliers and contractors to adopt, practice and promote sustainable policies and procedures.
Last updated: 2 February 2009
