Wychavon Business Guide - page 23

Business information sources
Information is at your fingertips with the Worcestershire
County Economic Summary and the Local Economic
Assessment, Labour Market and Economic District
Profiles providing a comprehensive picture of local
economic conditions at -
www.worcestershire.gov.uk/research
For more information please contact:
Jane Dobson
Economic Development Officer
Wychavon District Council
Tel: 01386 565278
e-mailjane.dobson@wychavon.gov.uk
or
Vicky Newby
Research Officer at Worcestershire County
Council’s Research and Intelligence Unit
Tel: 01905 822898
e-mailvnewby@worcestershire.gov.uk
This website replaces
and includes services and information for businesses on:
employing people, pay, contracts and hiring; working, jobs
and pensions; holidays; finding a job; businesses and
self employed; tools and guidance for businesses.
www.gov.uk
Worcestershire Local Enterprise
Partnership (WLEP)
Since it was established in December 2010, WLEP has
worked closely with partners to set priorities for the
county. This culminated in the publication of the WLEP
Business Plan in the autumn of 2012.
What is ECO?
A new Energy Company Obligation (ECO) also works
alongside the Green Deal to provide additional support
to householders who cannot achieve significant energy
savings without an additional or different measure
of support. The focus of ECO is on vulnerable and
low-income households and those living in harder to
treat properties, such as those with solid walls.
What are the potential benefits for Wychavon?
Green Deal and ECO could provide an opportunity
to significantly improve the energy efficiency of local
homes and businesses, enabling consumers to save
money on their energy bills. It has the potential to
bring significant economic benefits to the district
through training and employment opportunities across
the supply chain, from manufacturing and energy
assessment, to sales and accredited installation of
measures. In practical terms it means that a range
of local accredited businesses such as builders,
plumbers, heating and insulation installers and
glaziers could win supply contracts via the Green Deal.
For more information about accreditation contact the
Green Deal Oversight and Registration Body at
www.gdorb.decc.gov.uk
Selling to the Council
Wychavon District Council spends around £14 million
a year on goods, services and works. Services formerly
provided by Council Staff (for example refuse collection,
parks maintenance, public convenience cleaning) are
now provided by contractors, who are also responsible
for the associated supplies and consumables. The
Council uses a variety of methods and contractual
arrangements to help its aim of providing excellent
services to the local community. The Council’s
procurement process is devolved to various budget
managers who must ensure that value for money is
obtained. This does not necessarily mean the cheapest:
quality and performance are also important.
Where do we advertise?
The Council advertises its tender opportunities
in the:
• Local press
• Wychavon website
www.wychavon.gov.uk/currenttenders
• Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU)
• Government Contracts’ Finder Website
Working with local businesses
The Council recognises that the local economy is
dominated by a large number of small to medium
businesses and is committed to doing all we can
to place orders for goods and services with local
businesses and organisations.
For more information please contact David Buckley,
Strategic Procurement Advisor on 01386 565433.
Local business support