The Local Government Association (LGA) published the National Procurement Strategy (NPS) in 2018. The NPS builds on councils’ achievements under the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government in England 2014 – the first strategy developed by and for English councils.

In 2018 councils assessed their own progress under that strategy. This District strategy seeks to align with those themes which have been set out within the NPS 2018 and which have been identified as a priority by the Districts. In addition, the economic environment, both nationally and locally, continues to require us to focus on obtaining value for money and ‘doing more for less’. Therefore, it is the intention that this strategy supports the achievement of the Corporate Objectives of each District authority.

Although this strategy is specific to the District authorities, they will continue to work collaboratively with other members of the Devon & Cornwall Procurement Partnership to maximise the benefits of all partners spend with external suppliers.

The Districts will also continue to support the work of the South West Procurement Board which provides a representative group of Partner Organisations (local authorities and public bodies) to support delivery and provide a forum for supporting collaboration at a regional and sub-regional level.