Contract procedure rules

Our local rules

 We have our own local rules called Contract Procedure Rules (PDF, 364 KB). These rules explain how we buy things and manage contracts. The rules help the council to:

• furthers its corporate objectives
• delivers best value and creates healthy competition
• make choices that are good for the community and the environment
• acts with integrity and transparency
• ​​​​​​​treat all suppliers the same
• ensure no supplier has an unfair advantage or disadvantage
• consider small and medium-sized businesses

The Law

In addition to our local rules, we must follow UK Law for bigger purchases. The main legislation are the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and, from October 28, 2024, The Procurement Act 2023. These laws set limits, called statutory thresholds, based on the value and type of purchase. For these we must follow legislative rules.

If a purchase is below these limits, we follow our own local rules.

What are the statutory thresholds of the law and what are the thresholds of our rules?

Current statutory thresholds (including VAT)

Within our local rules we have set the following thresholds (excluding VAT)

• threshold 1: up to £5,000
• threshold 2: from £5,000 to £25,0000
• threshold 3: from £25,000 to £150,000
• threshold 4: from £150,000

How do we procure per threshold?

Statutory thresholds

The procurement methods are in accordance with relevant procurement legislation.

Thresholds of our local rules

Our own rules set out the following methods to procure: