L

Lord Shipley (LD)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 21 January 2026

Debate

Local Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026

Contribution

The confusion lies in Article 3(5)(a)(ii). The point is that it refers to one relevant authority— not more than one—that seeks to procure a contract. The sub-paragraph says that “where there is one relevant authority which intends to enter into a relevant contract”, it can do so only in “the area of that authority”, which means its own area, or “any of the areas of the counties or London boroughs that border that area”. There is no mention at that point of a neighbouring metropolitan council. If it would help the Minister, I would be very happy to have a response in writing, as long as it is posted in the Library. I am in favour of this happening, so do not want to hold things up, but would like to be clear about whether the councils—I live in Tyne and Wear—can work together in procurement. Can one relevant authority procure, but advertise the contract in a neighbouring authority, even if that neighbouring authority is not a part of the procurement process? You can do it in London and when you are next to a county but, at the moment, according to this order, you cannot do it in an urban metropolitan area.

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