Angus Council has agreed to adopt a “buying local” procurement policy.
Councillors agreed to the move at a meeting of the policy and resources committee in Forfar.
The policy follows a report from its Procurement Sounding Board, established in 2013 to determine the extent to which the council buys goods and services from Angus firms.
In his report to councillors, resources director Mark Armstrong said the council “starts from a position of strength” and that there was already a focus on supporting local companies to win council contracts.
He added: “Angus Council aims to be a leader for the local government sector in its approach to buying local, with development of the local supply base’s capability to win council (and wider public sector) work.”
The council will also use an analysis tool to maximise the opportunity of the local supply chain to win council contracts.
Mr Armstrong added that the new policy would not stop the evaluation of bids from firms outwith Angus and that the tender process would still apply to ensure best value.
He said: “The policy recognises the relationship between improving the council’s procurement structures and achieving our ‘buying local’ ambitions so it is not a quick fix, but it is bold and challenging in its aim for the council to become a leader in this aspect of its procurement.”