Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a key component in maximising social, economic, and environmental benefits through or as a direct result of awarding contracts.
The Council is committed to recognising and celebrating diversity and ensuring equal opportunity both as a provider and commissioner of services as a large employer. Furthermore, it is committed to developing a culture that embeds the effective management of equality, diversity and inclusion in its day-to-day practices, policies, procedures and through external relationships.
Since 2023, the Council has sought to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded within all procurement policies, procedures and activities through the issue of an annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey. The information collected helps to improve future sourcing requirements by seeking to understand what local businesses, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), consider to be the barriers to accessing and tendering for Council contracts. Understanding these barriers to entry is key to unlocking opportunities for SMEs, and how the Council structures its Contract Procedure Rules to support SME involvement and increase the economic prosperity of the city and wider region.
Following the initial Equality, Diversity and Inclusion survey issued to local businesses in 2023, the Council made inclusive procurement changes to its Contract Procedure Rules to provide greater opportunity to prospective suppliers, including increasing the minimum number of quotations or tenders sought and the establishment of minimum timescales for activity below the legislative thresholds.
The Council will continually seek to understand the barriers faced by organisations, review our processes and policies to find the right solution and approach, and to provide support to organisations - in particular SMEs within the boundaries of CV1 to CV6 - prior to, during and after procurement activity through guidance and training.
The promotion and application of equality, diversity and inclusion in procurement activity will help the Council to create a diverse and integrated workforce whilst encouraging external organisations to promote and practice equality and diversity within their own business. For the Council, promoting equality through procurement can improve competition, value for money, the quality of public services, satisfaction among users and community relations.