A group of organisations based in Lancashire are committed to delivering wider benefits for their communities through public procurement. The Local Group of Procurement Practitioners for Making Spend Matter aims to increase awareness of public procurement with SMEs in Lancashire to support their engagement in tendering processes. The Chamber will be working closely with the group to help raise awareness of supply opportunities.
Making Spend Matter
Making Spend Matter is a European funded initiative that aims to progress the way public procurement is undertaken. It explores how the institutions involved can better understand the impact of public procurement through analysing their spend and improve the awareness and visibility between public buyers and suppliers.
This will help inform strategic objectives to deliver wider economic, social and environmental benefits for communities. These could include reducing crime, increasing educational engagement, developing skills, tackling climate change and improving the local economy.
Who’s involved?
The Local Group includes representatives from different sectors across Lancashire:
- Local Government
- Police
- Education
- Housing Association
- NHS
- Business Organisation, including the North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
What Next?
Following a recent Supplier Survey it was evident that not enough local businesses were aware of opportunities to bid for public sector contracts. The group’s aim is to raise awareness of the process and increase visibility of procurement opportunities.
Respondents to the survey highlighted the Chamber as the most requested route to engage with the business community.
The Chamber has already hosted successful ‘Meet the Buyer’ events with Lancashire Constabulary. More are scheduled for 2020 (contact danielc@lancschamber.co.uk for more information).
More ‘Meet the Buyers’ with other organisations will be coming soon as well as other events including the members of the group.
The new Members Hub will launch in April allowing Chamber members to share supply opportunities. The local procurement group will also be advertising supply requirements making it a fantastic platform for search for business.
