New Strategy Boosts Local Business Opportunities!

West Berkshire Council has launched a new procurement strategy to use its annual spend of around £200m to back the local economy through a 'Think Local' approach.

It aims to make it clearer and easier for local businesses to work with the council, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, voluntary and community organisations, charities, CICs, social enterprises and other local suppliers.

The council wants to increase spend with SMEs from 14 per cent to 20 per cent and grow opportunities for VCSE organisations.

The council is hosting a free Meet the Buyer supplier day at Shaw House on Thursday, June, 25, from 9am to 4pm. On the agenda is how to understand what the council buys and where future opportunities may arise, and attendees can meet council representatives, procurement partners and industry speakers, including sessions on AI. The programme includes straightforward guidance on public sector procurement, one-to-one conversations and a dedicated afternoon session for social care providers. Vicky Poole (Lib Dem, Burghfield and Mortimer), executive member for strategy and governance, commercialisation, will be presenting West Berkshire Council's approach to social value.

The Social Value Strategy is designed to make every pound spent work harder for West Berkshire. For larger contracts, at least 10 per cent of the evaluation will focus on social value, and suppliers will be asked to contribute a percentage of contract revenue into a local grant pot. Not-for-profit organisations, CICs, community groups and charities will be able to apply for funding from the pot to support projects that benefit West Berkshire residents.

"Our new procurement strategy is about using the council's spending power to deliver better services, stronger local supply chains and wider benefits for communities across West Berkshire," said Mrs Poole.

"Through Think Local, we want to make it easier for SMEs, VCSE organisations and community suppliers to understand and compete for council opportunities.

"We want to increase our spend with SMEs from 14 per cent to 20 per cent and do more with VCSE organisations, so more investment supports local jobs, local services and local communities.

"The supplier day is an important opportunity to learn what is changing, meet the people involved and understand how social value can help local organisations strengthen their bids while supporting community projects."

Attendees must register in advance at: www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-buyer-tickets-1990868689844

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter