Lib Dem Council to 'Buy Local' in bid to boost local business

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Jun 2008

Cllr Paul Scriven at Sheffield's local farmers market

The new Liberal Democrat Council Leader today announced his intention for the Council to introduce a 'Buy Local' Policy aimed at increasing the proportion of goods and services that the Council purchases from local business. The move will boost local business and create a more sustainable local economy to aid the battle against climate change.

Councillor Paul Scriven has called Sheffield's first 'Buy Local' Leaders Summit for next month to discuss the issue. The Summit will provide an opportunity to get key players around the table to share ideas, views and current plans and agree a way forward.

Councillor Paul Scriven said: "I believe that the Council could do much more to support local business. One of the first things we want to do to rectify the situation is to introduce a 'buy local' policy that will provide a direct boost to the local economy."

"Through working closer with local business and looking at the Council's buying policies, we can be pro-active in making sure that local business has better opportunities to bid for Council contracts. Any final decision would still be driven by value for money, but working in this way would give local business a better chance."

The Summit will bring together representatives from small to medium size enterprises, voluntary groups, and community organisations from across the city, as well as Sheffield's big public sector agencies.

Cllr Scriven added: "Not only would increasing the amount of local providers provide a boost to the local economy, it also makes environmental sense as we would reduce the Council's carbon footprint. I look forward to discussing all these issues at the first Leaders Summit event."