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You are here: Home > Business > How we make buying decisions
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How we make buying decisions
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Most contracts are awarded following competition. This means that we ask a number of suitable potential suppliers to make proposals in the form of quotations or tenders. In some cases, we are developing longer term partnerships with other public and private sector organisations. Elsewhere, there may be goods and services which are bought where special circumstances, for example, urgent demand or emergencies, dictate a specific approach.
As a public body we are bound by certain rules and principles when making a buying decision. This is done to make sure that we provide best value to the local community. There are three tiers of rules that apply to our decisions:
European Union purchasing directives
All contracts for supplies, services and works above the EU threshold value must be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Current EU threshold values (effective from 1 January, 2012) are detailed in the table below.
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Items covered
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Financial thresholds*
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Exclusions
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Supplies
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Purchase, hire, lease or hire purchase of goods, including equipment, commodities and manufactured products.
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£173,934 (excluding VAT)
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None
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Services
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Procurement of a wide range of services including (as a sample) maintenance and repair, computer services, management consultancy, building-cleaning and property management.
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£173,934 (excluding VAT)
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None
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Works
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Procurement of civil engineering and building works, including major refurbishment projects.
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£4,348,350 (excluding VAT)
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None
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* The financial thresholds apply from 1 January 2012 and apply to the contract value and not the annual cost or budget.
Central government regulations
We are bound to comply with the Local Government Act. This places a duty on every council to purchase goods, services and works using Best Value principles.
Our own contract procedure rules and financial regulations
Our financial regulations, set up as a way of controlling how ratepayers’ money is spent, must also be adhered to by council employees. These regulations, for instance, determine who at the council can approve a particular tender proposal and sign contract documents. In addition, there are specific council policies which may apply and these will be referred to in individual tenders and contracts.
A clear code of conduct must be followed by officers whilst carrying out their duties. This code includes not accepting financial rewards from third parties.
Contact details
Ziaul Quader
Procurement Manager
Phone: 01284 757310
Email: ziaul.quader@stedsbc.gov.uk
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