The way in which we purchase goods, services and works is governed by UK procurement legislation and the Council’s own internal procurement and contracting rules.
The Council and ESPH are required to comply with the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations, which govern the way public sector procurement is conducted for contracts above the relevant procurement thresholds.
Please note that these thresholds, effective from 1 January 2026, are inclusive of VAT:
- Goods: £207,720
- Services: £207,720
- Works/Concessions: £5,193,000
- Light Touch Services: £663,540
If the standard VAT of 20% applies, the equivalent thresholds excluding VAT are:
- Goods: £173,100
- Services: £173,100
- Works/Concessions: £4,327,500
- Light Touch Services: £552,950
The purpose of procurement legislation is to ensure that public procurement is conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner, supports effective competition and delivers value for money. These principles apply to all procurements, including those below the relevant thresholds.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, procurement notices are published on Find a Tender, the UK e-notification service. To access Find a Tender, please visit: www.find-tender.service.gov.uk.