The Progressive Alliance is introducing its ‘More for MK’ scheme, a plan that enables the Council to award more contracts to local suppliers and to work with more local partners.
Milton Keynes Council spends around £300m annually on buying products and commissioning services to deliver a diverse range of operations including children’s social care, housing and environmental services.
The Council says it is committing to putting community first by taking into account the social value that can be created through its procurement and encouraging local partners to do the same.
As part of the ‘More for MK’ scheme, the Council will work with local partners and businesses to try and capture more spending locally by using more local and smaller businesses in its supply chain, prioritising companies that pay the real living wage and employ local people.
It builds on community wealth building models used in other areas, such as Preston, but goes further in that the council will be looking for private sector employers to also commit to using more local supply chains.
Councillor Rob Middleton, Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Budget and Resources will be working with local partners and businesses to deliver meaningful social value contributions in local communities.
Cllr Rob Middleton said:
“As a core local organisation we recognise the key role that MK Council can have in delivering greater social value through its own procurement and championing this commitment with its partner organisations and businesses, and it’s exciting to see this plan being put in place.
“We will use the power of the council not only to award contracts to more local and smaller businesses that will create jobs locally, but we will encourage others to do this as well.”
