The UK government has revealed that it plans to reduce so-called “gold-plating” of procurement in local government, so that town halls can focus on channelling money  to improving services and keep Council Tax at a minimum.

Ministers have challenged excessive and unnecessary requirements imposed on potential suppliers all across the public sector.

The results of a recent review have found that too many public bodies have taken a formulaic, box-ticking approach to equality considerations without paying attention to the size or the nature of contracts tendered.

This red-tape reduction will mean that councils will reduce unnecessary paperwork and other obstacles to compliance, saving taxpayers money and making it much easier for voluntary sector firms and SMEs to bid for council contracts.

Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins said:

“Costly gold-plating of procurement is rife across the public sector but we are freeing town halls from this tick box mentality so that they can deliver a better deal for local people.

“Small local firms and voluntary groups will be brought in from the cold because for far too long there have been obstacles preventing them from tendering for contracts.

“Our proposals will boost transparency, while helping to ensure services are designed and delivered around the needs of the user by those who really care about the interests of local people.”

Source

Image Credit

Words: Peter Cribley