Warm Homes Local Grant Soft Market Test

About the buyer

Slough Borough Council buys as a local authority, procuring through a central corporate function that serves every department. Current tenders and quotations are published on the SE Shared Services e-Sourcing Portal, where suppliers register for alerts. Staff search and select registered suppliers through that same portal before making a purchase. Every purchase follows the council's own code of practice. Government-appointed commissioners have overseen the council since 2021 and required an independent review of procurement and contract management. The council also prioritises small and medium enterprises, social enterprises and voluntary organisations among registered suppliers.

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 Slough Borough Council's contract awards have been in health and social work, transport equipment and construction work.