News release

Fairer deal for local taxpayers and business

An innovative purchasing plan aims to provide a better deal for West Lothian taxpayers and local businesses.

West Lothian Council's Executive has approved a new procurement strategy, to make sure the best possible value is obtained from the £120 million spent each year by the council on supplies, services and works contracts.

The forward-thinking three year plan will encourage local businesses to bid for council contracts and lead to closer working with other public bodies as part of five key objectives.

It will also give greater consideration to the environmental and social aspects of any purchasing deal, ensure appropriate service contracts are place, and fully adopt modern electronic buying systems.

Council Leader Peter Johnston said: " This new strategy is geared to getting the best value for West Lothian from the market place.

" The balanced approach will see us try to increase trade with local businesses, and enter into large shared contracts with other public sector bodies to get the best possible deals for local taxpayers.

" I hope it will encourage local firms to take the opportunity to work with us, which can only benefit West Lothian's economy as a whole.  The strategy has been produced after genuine consultation with West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, to ensure smaller firms have a level playing field when bidding to work with the council.      

"  The strategy will also promote a greater understanding of the environmental and social impact of our actions, to ensure we live up to our responsibilities in these areas."

Date: 22-04-2008