Equalities in relation to purchasing and contracts
Companies wishing to do business with us need to be aware of our position on equalities and that our procurement activities are guided by the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000 and other relevant legislation.
We have adopted the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) approach, as set out in its guidance to local authorities launched in July 2003.
This means we have to consider:
- the importance of the Council’s approach to equalities
- services provided under contract or agreement
- contractors’ equal opportunities policies and practices.
All contracts we issue contain a mandatory non-discrimination clause. In addition the equalities credentials of bidders can be considered at the pre-qualification stage of any tendering exercise. Following this, shortlisted bidders are asked to complete an equalities questionnaire and submit their equalities policy for assessment.