What are the Council's service standards?

Suppliers providing, or wishing to provide, goods or services to Hastings Borough Council should expect the following standards:

• An equal and fair opportunity to compete for business.
• Full information on the timetable for each procurement, the process to be used and mandatory requirements for all those responding to the appropriate advertisement.
• Fair specifications setting out customer requirements and incorporating the International, EU or British standards, as appropriate.
• Open and objective consideration of innovative cost effective alternatives, provided that they satisfy specifications.
• Support to deliver goods and services which are environmentally friendly.
• A fair evaluation of competitive bids subject to nominated criteria such as quality, service, price, and economic advantage.
• All bidders to be kept informed on the progress of evaluation which will be conducted as quickly as possible.
• Notification of the outcome of tenders in which companies have an interest.
• Feedback on request if a bid has been unsuccessful.
• Prompt payment as required by Government and contractual obligations with invoices paid within 30 days of receipt.
• Courtesy and respect with all enquiries dealt with promptly, efficiently and to the highest professional standards.

If these standards have not been met, then ultimately you may wish to lodge a formal complaint under the Council's Complaints and Comments procedure.