Interactive Splash Pad at Shiver me Timbers Play Area, Maryport

About the buyer

Cumberland Council is a local authority buying goods, works and services for Cumbria, guided by its own Contract Procedure Rules. Tenders are advertised through the Find a Tender Service on GOV.UK. Suppliers can also register on The Chest, the council's electronic procurement portal, free of charge. A dedicated Procurement Team sits within Business Transformation and Change. Framework agreements sit alongside open competitions among its procurement procedures. Every tender also weighs social value against council priorities. Contracts follow the Procurement Act 2023 and the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. A weekly business newsletter and supplier events keep suppliers informed too.

UK local government drives £140bn in annual procurement, led by social protection (£66.6bn) and education (£57.1bn).

Over the past 5 years, most of Cumberland Council's contract awards have been in construction work, education and training and architectural and engineering services.