Redland City Mayor Karen Williams has congratulated the Queensland Government for making it easier for Councils to choose local suppliers when competing for Council projects.
“This is great news for Redland businesses and is what I have been pushing for,” Cr Williams said.
“Redlands will be a place to do business for even more local organisations as a result of this change.”
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Changes to the Local Government Act in Parliament last week mean Council can give extra weight to local businesses when selecting suppliers.
Cr Williams said that with the changes to the Act, Council could provide greater support to local businesses.
“I am committed to helping our own businesses and earlier this year called on Council to review its own purchasing policy to strengthen support for local businesses,” she said.
“This change to the Act means greater flexibility for Council, the city‟s largest purchaser of goods and services, to buy local.
“While Council must continue to balance the five ‘sound contracting principles’ of value for money, open and effective competition, development of local business and industry, environmental protection and ethical behaviour in making its purchasing decisions, a new clause in the Act confirms that Council does not have to give equal weighting to each of the five principles.”
Cr Williams congratulated the Newman Government on this important clarification that provides certainty for Council in dealing with local business.
“We value all five of the principles, and will continue to strive for best value for money whilst ensuring that we support our local economy, local business and local jobs.
“The message to local companies is that Council is open for business and if you can meet the basic principles of the Local Government Act requirements, please consider us as a possible client.”
Cr Williams said Council also recently amended its policy on payment terms to ensure payment to suppliers was quicker than it had been previously.
