St Albans Council becoming more business friendly
Steps are being taken by St Albans City and District Council to become more business friendly and to encourage contractors to use local workers.
In 2013, we developed a plan to make it easier for local businesses to compete for Council business and to use our services.
At a meeting on Thursday 25 June, Cabinet will hear that the strategy is paying off.
For example, the construction of the new Cotlandswick Leisure Centre was awarded to a Hertfordshire based business Willmott Dixon. Various measures were used to encourage the use of a local workforce, local suppliers and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This resulted in:
• 77% of the workforce living within 20 miles of the site.
• 28% of Willmott Dixon’s suppliers being local firms based within 20 miles of the site.
• 78% of Willmott Dixon’s suppliers being SMEs.
At the meeting, Cabinet will also be provided with an update on measures taken to make the Council more business friendly for local firms and
SMEs. It will hear that the Council has:
• encouraged bidders for large contracts to use a local workforce.
• appointed Hertfordshire based businesses for its contracts for
construction (Willmott Dixon) and housing refurbishment (Borras).
• used Hertfordshire business MH Goldsmith to carry out roof works at Telford Court.
• reviewed and reduced, where possible, insurance requirements in contracts.
• published and regularly updated a list of contract opportunities online.
• used Supply Hertfordshire to publish all formal tendering opportunities over £25,000 at: www.supplyhertfordshire.uk.
• provided guidance tailored to small and local businesses on the Supply Hertfordshire’s website.
• ensured that tenders do not have a ‘big business’ bias or require inappropriate specific experience.
• encouraged bidders for large contracts to sub-contract packages of work to local firms.
Cllr Julian Daly, Leader of St Albans City and District Council, said: “The Council is committed to becoming more business friendly and ensuring that
local businesses find it easier to compete for our work. We have already put in place several measures to help local businesses and small-tomedium
sized enterprises. A great example of how these are making a difference is the extensive use of local businesses and workers in constructing the new Cotlandswick Leisure Centre. The work does not stop there. We are looking at other ways to support businesses and help them access our services to bid for contracts.”
The Council is encouraging consortia of businesses to bid for work through the tender process and is providing advice at events such as St Albans
Business Festival. In addition, work is being undertaken to:
• update the Council’s Procurement Best Practice Guide to reflect changes in procurement regulations;
• develop a code of practice on the use of A Board notices and banners;
• introduce a new e-billing service making business rates and reporting changes accessible online;
• introduce one point of contact for building control and development management enquiries.
The public can attend the meeting at 7pm on Thursday June 25 at the District Council’s offices at the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans. The
meeting is also being webcast and can be watched on the Council’s website. (Please contact Democratic Services if you would like to see this webcast: DemocraticServices@stalbans.gov.uk )
The agenda and papers for the meeting are available online.
Councillor contact:
Cllr Julian Daly, Leader of St Albans City and District Council
Mob: 07775 657200
Contact for the media:
Amanda Wilkinson,
Media and Internal Communications Officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317
E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk
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