Member Article

Doncaster Council keeps business local with new rules commended by the FSB

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed new rules making it easier for local firms to win business with Doncaster Council.

Amendments to the council’s contract procedure rules have been passed by the full council.

These mean that when officers are awarding contracts for goods and services up to the value of £172,514 a local business must be invited to submit a quotation.

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “Buying locally and supporting the businesses that are on our doorstep is already a priority for me and these changes give local firms a better chance of winning contracts.

“I am committed to creating jobs and growth in Doncaster. There are potentially millions of pounds worth of council business to be won and I want to stimulate the local economy.

“The challenge now for local firms is to submit high quality, competitive bids and take advantage of working with one of the largest organisations in the borough.”

The FSB South Yorkshire chairman, Andrew Flower, commented: “It is refreshing to see this major breakthrough for public sector procurement in Doncaster.

“The FSB has campaigned for many years to encourage councils to retain a greater share of council taxpayers’ investment within the local economy.

“Through our ‘Keep Trade Local’ campaign we have been lobbying councils to implement exactly the sort of policies which Doncaster Council is adopting and we commend Ros Jones and her colleagues on the Council for their foresight in bringing in these progressive measures.

“We would urge all South Yorkshire’s councils to take a leaf out of Doncaster’s book and adopt procurement policies which are friendly towards local small firms.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .