COUNCIL chiefs are looking at how they can spend more of the authority’s money with local businesses to boost the district’s economy.

The move was announced by the ruling Labour group as part of its budget-setting process.

Even with cutbacks, Bradford Council will still have a budget of £375m this year, and staff will now scope the feasibility of a ‘district first’ procurement system which favours local firms when buying in goods or services.

This could make the “Bradford Pound go further” and stimulate the district’s economy, according to Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the leader of Bradford Council.

She said: “About 40 per cent of Bradford Council’s spend goes on goods and services in Bradford.

“I’d like to see this increase, hence why I’m asking for a review.

“Naturally there are some specialist services which are not provided in Bradford. We also have an obligation to get best value for council tax payers’ money.

“But we want to look at ways in which local knowledge and local employment can carry weight when it comes to procurement.”

Councillor Simon Cooke, leader of the Conservative group on Bradford Council, agreed that the time was right to look at the authority’s approach to procuring goods and services.

But he said any policy should first and foremost be aimed at driving down the Council’s costs.

He said: “In the light of the UK leaving the European Union, it is the right time to look at the Council’s procurement approaches.

“The Conservative Group is keen on local procurement and preference where this does not exclude capable and effective low-cost providers from outside Bradford.

“Any procurement policy should in the first instance be about driving down costs and driving up quality, not imposing a sort of local protectionism.”

The Council is to ask the Chamber of Commerce and the voluntary sector to get involved in the review.

Mike Cartwright, policy executive at Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: “Businesses will be pleased to hear that City Hall is to review its procurement process, and hopeful that more tenders can be secured by local firms.

“It’s been a long time coming, and we know that there are strict rules and guidelines surrounding the process, but we have made suggestions in the past such as separating previously bundled together tenders to allow smaller firms to bid.

“We work with the Council regularly on various issues affecting business, and so would be happy to talk to them again about procurement.

“We know their hands are tied somewhat, but also that they have the local economy’s interests and businesses at heart.”