The rules and regulations we follow when we advertise and let contracts
Procurement rules and regulations
We spend approximately £60 million each year on a wide variety of goods, works and services. These are sourced from a range of suppliers, contractors and consultants. You can find details of contracts agreed and purchase orders issued, over £5,000 in value, on our transparency page.
As a local authority, we have to follow legislative regulations and rules when we let contracts. These form part of the Procurement Act 2023.
Procurement Act 2023
These regulations apply to almost all public sector procurement. They require us to advertise tenders on the Government’s website Find A Tender if the total contract value is estimated to be above:
- Supplies: £214,904 including VAT
- Services: £214,904 including VAT
- Works: £5,372,609 including VAT
Smaller value contracts are advertised on this website too. The Procurement Act also imposes restrictions on the:
- way that we manage our procurement processes
- information that we supply to organisations bidding for contracts
- way that we evaluate tenders
- how we manage and vary contracts.
The Procurement Act 2023came into force on 24 February 2025, and as the change is very recent there is guidance available on Government websites.
Further information about transforming public procurement can be found on the GOV.UK website, along with a new guide for suppliers.
The Government has also provided some short guidance videos which are available on The Official Transforming Public Procurement Knowledge Drops page.
In order to bid for contracts with the Council, suppliers will need to register on the Government’s new Central Digital Platform (known as Find-A-Tender). Further information, including videos on how to sign up and navigate the platform, can be found on the GOV.UK information and guidance for suppliers page.
Contract Standing Orders
We have our own rules called Contract Standing Orders. These rules regulate how we conduct our business. Staff employed by us (including consultants and contractors) must follow them.
The rules are designed to promote fairness, transparency and integrity in our procurement processes. And they ensure that we get the best value for the public money that we spend.
You can view our Contract Standing Orders by following the link below.