Published: 01/09/2010 16:07 -
Updated: 01/09/2010 16:11
Brian Binley has accused Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire County Council of being ‘timid’ for not prioritising small businesses in the region.
The Northampton South MP has long championed small businesses as a focal point for the local economy.
Mr Binley wants the councils to provide details of the value of contracts granted to small and medium sized businesses in the county.
He said: “I have been very disappointed with the borough and county council’s timid approach to placing work with small businesses within the county.” Mr Binley is concerned that the councils are giving too much business to ‘out of county’ firms and has written to both councils to find out how much business has gone out of the county but neither has supplied a sufficient reply, according to the MP.
He said: “The Government has set a 23 per cent target for awarding contracts to SMEs and I am concerned that neither council is taking the matter seriously enough.
Both need to do more to support Northamptonshire’s small and medium sized businesses which accounts for 94 per cent of private sector employment in the county.” The MP is particularly concerned as Northampton has one of the fastest growing rates of unemployment.
Mr Binley said: “If we are to grow the jobs we need it is vital that the small and medium sized business sector in Northamptonshire is strong and both councils really need to get off their backsides and do something about it if we are to get people back to work.
“I am going to write to both councils again and urge them to produce reports, every four months, so that the situation can be monitored more effectively and we can ensure that small businesses in Northamptonshire are receiving their fair share of local contracts.” Northampton Borough Council has said that it is considering using more local suppliers and is putting forward a paper to cabinet on September 15 to address the issue.
Councillor David Perkins, the borough council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “It is disappointing that Mr Binley has not chosen to discuss his concerns with us.
Later this month borough councillors will be discussing a report that will look at how we can actively support local businesses through our procurement policies.
“As with all local authorities, we have to follow strict Government guidelines that prevent us from excluding any business from bidding for a contract.
“When awarding a contract or going out to tender for work we make every effort to ensure local businesses get the chance to bid and the local workforce can benefit.
“We are looking to go further than this and actively recognise the importance of supporting local suppliers and the many advantages of purchasing works, goods and services in ways that minimise environmental impact, make best use of local produce and labour, support and maximize local employment and training initiatives and encourage economic development.”
Mr Binley wants the councils to provide details of the value of contracts granted to small and medium sized businesses in the county.
He said: “I have been very disappointed with the borough and county council’s timid approach to placing work with small businesses within the county.” Mr Binley is concerned that the councils are giving too much business to ‘out of county’ firms and has written to both councils to find out how much business has gone out of the county but neither has supplied a sufficient reply, according to the MP.
He said: “The Government has set a 23 per cent target for awarding contracts to SMEs and I am concerned that neither council is taking the matter seriously enough.
Both need to do more to support Northamptonshire’s small and medium sized businesses which accounts for 94 per cent of private sector employment in the county.” The MP is particularly concerned as Northampton has one of the fastest growing rates of unemployment.
Mr Binley said: “If we are to grow the jobs we need it is vital that the small and medium sized business sector in Northamptonshire is strong and both councils really need to get off their backsides and do something about it if we are to get people back to work.
“I am going to write to both councils again and urge them to produce reports, every four months, so that the situation can be monitored more effectively and we can ensure that small businesses in Northamptonshire are receiving their fair share of local contracts.” Northampton Borough Council has said that it is considering using more local suppliers and is putting forward a paper to cabinet on September 15 to address the issue.
Councillor David Perkins, the borough council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “It is disappointing that Mr Binley has not chosen to discuss his concerns with us.
Later this month borough councillors will be discussing a report that will look at how we can actively support local businesses through our procurement policies.
“As with all local authorities, we have to follow strict Government guidelines that prevent us from excluding any business from bidding for a contract.
“When awarding a contract or going out to tender for work we make every effort to ensure local businesses get the chance to bid and the local workforce can benefit.
“We are looking to go further than this and actively recognise the importance of supporting local suppliers and the many advantages of purchasing works, goods and services in ways that minimise environmental impact, make best use of local produce and labour, support and maximize local employment and training initiatives and encourage economic development.”
