Council support for local businesses

Waltham Forest Council continues to support local businesses by identifying opportunities within the community.

In 2007/08 the Council spent over £54million with local suppliers. The aim is to increase the Council’s procurement spend with the local suppliers in the next three years by encouraging Council officers to use local companies where possible and by providing required support to local suppliers to bid for the Council’s contract opportunities.

Some of the objectives of the Council’s Sustainable Community Strategy are to increase growth and prosperity and help local businesses take advantage of business opportunities that arise from the forthcoming 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics games. As part of this strategy to help local businesses the Council has adopted the Small Medium Enterprises (SME) Concordat which was developed in partnership with Walthamstow Business Board and East London Business Place (ELBP). This SME Initiative will help bring together buyers and suppliers.

How is the Council helping local businesses?

The Council has:

  • amended its constitution to require all officers to seek at least one quote from a local supplier where the value of the work is between £250 and £75,000
  • ensured that officers are updated regarding the new procurement rules and understand the initiative’s importance in developing the local economy
  • introduced a policy to pay local SME businesses within 10 days upon receipt of an invoice
  • approved the establishment of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) within the borough

And has agreed to:

  • identify opportunities for small and medium size enterprises to work as sub-contractors on large council contracts
  • promote understanding among the local business community and the voluntary sector of council quotation and tender processes
  • support promotional activities run by local businesses, the voluntary sector and community groups
  • support bids for future funding of the initiative
  • modify its procurement protocols to help local suppliers

How is the East London Business Place (ELBP) helping local businesses?

ELBP provides a support service that sources and matches local suppliers to the purchasing needs of buyers across all industry sectors. ELBP is currently working with ten London boroughs on this initiative.

ELBP has agreed to:

  • assist the Council in sourcing local suppliers and third sector organisations
  • improve the awareness of the Council’s tender opportunities within the community and among its membership
  • develop local suppliers to become ‘fit to bid’ through regular training and communication workshops
  • provide updates on the level of spend with local companies
  • bid for grants to further develop the initiative from the Greater London Authority and the London Development Agency

How is the Business Board helping local businesses?

In 2004 the Council launched the Enterprise Strategy for the borough and the Waltham Forest Business Board Citizen Involvement and Communication was created. In April 2007, the Council Cabinet approved the creation of two Business Improvement Districts (BID): one in Leytonstone Town Centre and one amalgamating all the industrial estates on Argall Avenue. These BIDs provide additional benefits to local businesses; as a local business, through:

  • local business representatives
  • a leading government website
  • Waltham Forest Business Board

You can:

  • get more business opportunities by advertising your company’s business interests
  • air views to help Council support local businesses
  • get help to bid for Waltham Forest Council’s contracts

Contacts:

Waltham Forest Council

Prakash Rao
SME Initiative Coordinator
Corporate Procurement Unit
Tel 020 8496 3000
Email prakash.rao@walthamforest.gov.uk

ELBP

Paula Arkell
Supplier Development Officer
Tel 020 7537 6465
Email paula.arkell@elbp.co.uk

E11 BID

John Clapman
Coordinater
Tel 020 8558 5500
Email john@e11bid.co.uk

Argall BID

Andrew Williamson
Coordinator
Tel 0845 467 7045
Email andrew@argallbid.co.uk