Local spend enhanced through Council’s strategic procurement model

Redland City Council has sharpened its focus on spending local as part of a new corporate procurement policy, contract manual and strategic contracting plan and procedures adopted this week.

Mayor Karen Williams said the focus on spending local was particularly relevant as Council reached out to support the broader community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Council spends about $140 million per annum on goods and services and the new policy and procedures provide extra opportunities for Redlands Coast businesses.

“Council already increased its local procurement spend by about 4% last quarter.

“Now, with the newly adopted procurement policy and procedures, local supplier preference has been increased from a 10% to a 15% weighting in the evaluation process.

“This is on top of Council’s $3 million COVID recovery package, which included $370,000 to local community groups and businesses to help them respond to the COVID pandemic.”

Councillor Williams said the new systems also allowed for continuous innovation and improvement, with the capacity for multiyear contracts allowing for bulk-buying rates and flexibility around the end date of contracts.