As part of Scotland loves local week, figures show that the Council’s local procurement spend for 2025-2026 was £71.8m, which represents 35% of its overall spend.
Just over 25% of all its contracts were awarded to local suppliers – five per cent above target. This is based on all contracts, whether or not a local company bid or not, and is up by seven per cent on the previous year.
In instances where a local supplier placed a bid, 78% of the bids were successful. In addition, 96 local sub-contractors were used within 23 contracts. Eight contracts were also awarded to local main contractors.
A great deal of work has been done in recent years to encourage and support local SMEs and suppliers to access council contracts.
The Council has simplified tender documents to ensure the procurement process is proportionate and easy to navigate. Strategies and, where appropriate, dynamic purchasing systems in place to assist local suppliers access contracts.
Where the market allows, SMEs and local suppliers will be invited to bid for contracts where goods/services are valued under £50k and works under £2million.
The Council delivers a programme of supplier engagement and events across Argyll and Bute aligned to forthcoming contract opportunities, to support our local small and medium sized businesses to meet their growth potential.
Councillor William Sinclair, Policy Lead for Planning and Regulatory Services,said: “Loving local is not just about shopping local. The Council also has a role to play in supporting local businesses through its procurement process. This will helps create jobs and promote economic growth – some of our key objectives.
“We are doing all we can to ensure opportunities are open to all our SMEs, Third Sector organisations and local businesses. I would encourage them to find out about doing business with the Council and where possible attend one of our events.”
Scotland Loves Local is organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP).
