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The Council’s ‘Ethical Procurement Practice’ (EPP) document is being updated. Several significant changes have occurred since the original document was put in place several years ago, including the publication of the Council Plan and new procurement legislation and guidance coming into force.
The revised EPP emphasises an ethical approach to procurement and commercial decisions for businesses (including Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs)), the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) and co-operative sectors. This commitment aims to ensure fairness, sustainability, and positive social impact in all Council commercial activities.
Underpinning principles of the EPP:
To encourage more diversity of supply
To assess bids fairly and equitably
To recognise social benefit and environmental impacts
Not included in the EPP:
What the Council will spend money on
How the Council will choose to deliver services
EPP development stages
Stage 1 – engagement and drafting (between March and August 2025)
With input from the Ethical Procurement Member Working Group (made up of cross-party elected representatives (Councillors), representatives from VCFSE and social enterprise anchor organisation representatives and Council officers.
Stage 2 – consultation (September 2025)
For comment and feedback from a wider range of stakeholders and anyone with an interest.
Stage 3 – review and update (late September – early October 2025)
To take account of all feedback from the consultation.
Stage 4 – approval (October 2025)
For the Finance and Performance policy committee to consider the final EPP – this is expected in October, subject to the consultation process.
Introduction
The Council’s ‘Ethical Procurement Practice’ (EPP) document is being updated. Several significant changes have occurred since the original document was put in place several years ago, including the publication of the Council Plan and new procurement legislation and guidance coming into force.
The revised EPP emphasises an ethical approach to procurement and commercial decisions for businesses (including Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs)), the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) and co-operative sectors. This commitment aims to ensure fairness, sustainability, and positive social impact in all Council commercial activities.
Underpinning principles of the EPP:
To encourage more diversity of supply
To assess bids fairly and equitably
To recognise social benefit and environmental impacts
Not included in the EPP:
What the Council will spend money on
How the Council will choose to deliver services
EPP development stages
Stage 1 – engagement and drafting (between March and August 2025)
With input from the Ethical Procurement Member Working Group (made up of cross-party elected representatives (Councillors), representatives from VCFSE and social enterprise anchor organisation representatives and Council officers.
Stage 2 – consultation (September 2025)
For comment and feedback from a wider range of stakeholders and anyone with an interest.
Stage 3 – review and update (late September – early October 2025)
To take account of all feedback from the consultation.
Stage 4 – approval (October 2025)
For the Finance and Performance policy committee to consider the final EPP – this is expected in October, subject to the consultation process.
