Reference Materials that inform our Purchasing Policies
Contract Standing Orders
The Council’s
Contract Standing Orders are designed to obtain competition,
ensure propriety and secure compliance with UK and European Law.
They also provide a framework within which the contracts process is
accountable, transparent and auditable.
Financial Regulations
Financial Regulations are a direct result of those statutory
duties and ensure compliance with statutory requirements,
accounting and auditing standards and codes of practice, which are
established by the professional accounting bodies. These
financial regulations shall apply to all staff employed by the
Council, including consultants. The only exception will be those
staff employed by Schools who are covered by a separate set of
financial regulations and contract standing orders.
Byatt Report
Sir Ian Byatt chaired a taskforce to review the state of
procurement skills and practice in local government in
England. His report examined the emerging opportunities for
local authorities to develop and improve their procurement
practices. It set out 39 specific recommendations, directed to
local and central government, private suppliers and professional
bodies.
"Towards a National Strategy for Local Government
Procurement" - response to the Byatt Report
The Taskforce presented its report, Delivering Better
Services for Citizens, in June 2001. The report's starting
point was the critical contribution that procurement can make to
the quality of public services. Its 39 recommendations
attracted wide support. In December 2001 an interim statement
of support was published, highlighting key recommendations for
immediate action.