Gravesham Borough Council is among the leading local authorities in the country when it comes to spending with local suppliers and small businesses, according to a new study.
Out of 311 local authorities surveyed, Gravesham ranked sixth when it came to spending with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and 31st for spending with local businesses.
Figures show the council spent £30.2 million with SMEs in 2024, 64% of its total spend on external contracts. It spent £28.9 million with local businesses over the same period, 61% of its total spend.
Ranked against 63 other local councils in the south east, Gravesham was third for spending with SMEs and sixth for spending with local businesses.
The information is contained in an independent report by Tussell, an organisation providing information on government contracts and spending to businesses and public sector bodies.
Welcoming the findings, Cllr John Burden, the council Leader, said: “These figures are testament to the ethos of this authority which is to target our procurement locally wherever we can and in doing so support our local economy.
“We take our responsibilities as community leaders seriously at every level, and we will always look to place contracts with local companies wherever we can. The fact we can do that while still achieving best value shows how competitive our local businesses are.
“Of course, there will always be products or services we need where that is not possible, but we work hard to keep those to a minimum.”
Cllr Burden added this approach was illustrated by local involvement in the construction of The Charter development of 242 apartments for rent in Gravesend town centre.
Being developed by Rosherville Ltd, the council’s wholly-owned commercial trading company, and Reef Group, a significant number of those working on-site are from the local Gravesham area.
Jamie Izzard, Chair of Rosherville Ltd, said: “The Charter has been contributing to the local economy throughout its construction.
“It has already injected more than £70,000 into the local supply chain, funded training to upskill 27 local workers, and funded four construction apprenticeships.
“Local people are at the heart of its construction and when completed, local people will be first in the queue for the new homes.”
Local businesses interested in working with Gravesham Borough Council can find out how to do that at https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/business/tenders-procurement