Further training and access to specialist advice

About the buyer

Torbay Council is the local authority for Torbay, and its commercial services team manages procurement across the council. Every tender is advertised on Supplying the South West, the council's e-tendering platform for formal requirements. Suppliers register free on the platform to receive automatic notification of new opportunities. Contracts above the regulatory threshold are also openly advertised through Find a Tender. Framework call-offs, dynamic purchasing systems and direct award to a fellow contracting authority offer further routes to a contract. Smaller-value work is quoted directly, with at least three suppliers invited and two of them based in Torbay.

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 Torbay Council's contract awards have been in construction work, business services and health and social work.