All procedures relating to the purchasing of goods and services are established in the Council's Contract Standing Orders which are published as Part 10 of the Constitution of the Council.
Some key points are:
The Select List of Tenderers is decided on the basis of both financial and quality considerations. They include a financial evaluation, technical references, and the capability to provide goods or services. Many Councils use the Select List approach which protects against large numbers of tenderers incurring the costs of submitting unsuccessful tenders. The existing List was compiled four years ago following extensive advertising in the local and national press, and is due to be updated shortly (please see Report to Cabinet 12th January 2004 - Select Tender List).
The Council accepts the lowest or most economically advantageous quotation or tender based on price, technical references, quality and compliance with the Specification and Conditions of Contract.
The Council is continually developing its environmental role in areas such as the use of recycled products and reducing waste and emissions. It therefore requires companies which deal with the Council to have a positive approach to environmental management. Ideally a company would be able to demonstrate this approach through formal accreditation such as Eco- Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), ISO 14001 or an equivalent standard. However in evaluating a contract, the Council would also take into account informal evidence of a companyfs record, for instance whether it is working towards accreditation, whether it has conducted an environmental audit, whether it has an environmental policy, or whether relevant training has been pursued .
The Council is committed to equal opportunities for all people and all businesses, regardless of factors such as gender, age or ethnic background. It will therefore follow these principles when purchasing goods, supplies and services. It will also require companies wishing to do business with the Council to follow the same principles by demonstrating that they apply equal opportunities principles in recruitment and in their own choice of suppliers.
Fair Trade is an alternative approach to conventional international trade. It aims at sustainable development for excluded and disadvantaged producers and seeks to do this by providing better trading conditions, by awareness raising and by campaigning. The Council supports this campaign and encourages companies doing business with the Council to purchase Fair Trade products where possible. Further details can be found on the Hastings Fair Trade web site at www.hastingsfairtrade.co.uk. Companies will ideally have developed appropriate policies to support Equal Opportunities and Fair Trade goods. Alternatively they should try to demonstrate how they are working towards such policies or that their working practices support these principles.
Where possible, the Council will encourage contractors to develop the local workforce and in particular to support local unemployed people into work. To this end, it supports proposals for training and apprenticeship schemes which offer employment and skills development for local workers. It will also wish to see a companies Health & Safety Statement to reassure it of their commitment in this area.
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This page last updated: 01/05/2007