Doing Business with the Council
We have a keen interest in supporting the local economy and local suppliers are particularly encouraged to register with us to gain the opportunity to bid for business.
If you are a business owner and would like to register your interest with us, please sign up to the North West Centre of Excellence's portal at http://www.thechest.nwce.gov.uk
We are anxious to establish and maintain economical, efficient and effective purchasing arrangements for all goods and services required within the Authority.
The Council will choose who to invite to tender from the companies registered on the Portal.
Our goal is to secure "best value for money" and we are always happy to discuss our contracts and purchasing arrangements with all potential suppliers in order to achieve this.
In all dealings with suppliers and potential suppliers. our officers will do their utmost to preserve the highest standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality and objectivity and will treat all suppliers in a professional and way.
In September draft Codes of Practice on payments over £500 and contracts/invitations to tender over £500, informed by the online discussions, will be published for formal consultation.
Final Codes of Practice will be published in November, so all authorities are able to publish in January 2011.
In respect of the Governments requirements to publish tendering opportunities, along with most public authorities in the region, we have implemented a 'Supplier Portal (thechest)', which has been developed for the 47 Council's in the North West by the Regional Centre of Excellence (now REIP) .
The Portal enables all suppliers to register their capability on to a single regional web-site where they are asked to register 'once only'. Registration on the Portal will allow Local Authority buyers to match their requirements against registered suppliers.
The system will also enable quotations / tenders to be actioned electronically within the same system and for suppliers to receive alerts when any Council is in the market.
All suppliers who express an interest in providing services or tendering are asked to register details on the Portal since it is from the companies registered in the system that the Council will choose who it invites to tender. The Portal is now our system of choice for recording expressions of interest and any separate lists kept by the Council will no longer be updated and will cease to be used.
Details of the site can be found at www.thechest.nwce.gov.uk
You should note that registering and using the portal is free of charge
For further information, please contact our Customer First advice line on 01253 477477 .
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