Our objectives
Procurement is core to achieving our goals of:
- protecting and enhancing a sustainable environment
- promoting a healthier and safer community
- developing a more prosperous and sustainable local economy
This can be achieved by:
- securing best value and improving service standards
- protecting assets and making optimum use of facilities
- modernising the way we do things
Key drivers
Our priorities include:
- increasing the Derbyshire pound
- engaging more Derbyshire organisations in supplying us
- reducing the burden of bidding for smaller value contracts
- expanding bidding opportunities for local organisations
- improving knowledge to help local organisations tender effectively
- ensuring transparency of available contract opportunities
To support this, we publish our contracts register for major spend areas, helping businesses plan and prepare tenders.
Working with the council
In line with Procurement Act 2023, our tender notices are published on the central digital platform Find a Tender, with tender documents being available through our tendering portal Proactis supplier registration.
Both platforms allow you to register and set up tailored tender alerts.
Find out more about the Public Procurement Act 2023 and what it means for suppliers.
Schools
Schools operate under alternative financial threshold limits set out in the Local Management of Schools Scheme (June 2011). You can find updates on the schemes for financing schools.
For more information about, contact Andy Walker, head of school support finance, email: andy.walker@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01629 532914.
The Department for Education (DfE) provide comprehensive guidance relating to buying procedures and procurement law for schools, including:
Where purchases exceed your school's financial threshold, you must follow our financial regulations regarding procurement and contract awards.
Networking with other school business professionals can also help you:
- find trusted suppliers
- benchmark costs
- access templates and market insights
- achieve bulk buying discounts
If you need any further help, email countyprocurementcompliance.team@derbyshire.gov.uk.
In all cases, the principles of tendering still apply. You should refer to the Standard Orders when procuring goods, services of works not covered by and existing contract or framework arrangement.
Contacts
If you require guidance or up-to-date documents related to procurement, please contact the relevant category leads in County Procurement as follows: