How Glasgow City Council spent £800 million - contracts for fruit, fuel and social care approved

Glasgow City Chambers
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Finance bosses at the council signed off £809 million worth of major contracts over the past year with money going on recycling, social care, fresh fruit and vegetables and LED lighting among others.

Included in the huge spend to run public services, was £5.3 million on the collection and processing of dry rubbish for recycling and £5.6 million on public realm work at Sauchiehall Street and Cambridge Street.

A £5.3 million contract went on language translation services and £19 million on heating, marine and vehicle fuels while a transport and storage of rock salt contract amounted to £660,000.

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The council also awarded a contract of about £74,000 for special bariatric mattresses as part of care for people who are obese.

A large chunk of about £342 million goes on health and social care.

The procurement details for the period April 2023 to the end of March 2024 were presented to the council’s contracts and property committee yesterday.

The statutory annual procurement report was presented to councillors outlining ‘regulated’ procurement only - which covers spend of over £50,000 on goods and services or £2 million for works contracts.

A council official told the meeting: “During this period the council undertook 117 regulated procurements and influenced approximately £809 million worth of spend.”

She added: “We also managed to achieve a saving of £6.7 million in terms of cash savings and non cash savings of just over £10.5 million during the duration.

“We have continued to sustain a high proportion of spend with small medium enterprises and Glasgow based suppliers and our community benefit outcomes have increased by 50 per cent in relation to new entrants, work experience and we secured a financial contribution of £93,000.”

The council received two highly commended awards for social value and its Community Benefits Supplier Recognition Scheme at the GO Awards Scotland 2023 to 2024.

A council report said: “The council continues to face significant financial and budget pressures. As a result, it must continually look to develop new innovative ways of working, that includes efficient and effective solutions to help reduce its spending and to increase its income.

"Procurement is seen as a key enabler in supporting the council’s challenging budget reductions and strategic objectives. Our Procurement Teams continue to develop robust sourcing strategies and commercial models to help mitigate the financial impact of Brexit and the ongoing pressures placed on supply chains as a result of geopolitical tensions and climate change.”

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