Procurement rules
There are rules and regulations at both national and local levels which we have to follow when procuring goods, works and services to ensure transparency and value for money.
Our procurement and contract arrangements aim to ensure that the council achieves value for money from the money it spends. It also ensures fair and transparent procedures and equal treatment of all potential suppliers.
All council officers must follow procedures set out by Cumberland Council Financial Regulations and relevant UK procurement law. How much is being spent informs which procedures officers must follow.
National rules
The main English legislation covering procurement is the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCRs).
The new Procurement Act 2023 started on 24 February 2025. This should be seen as a starting point and brings together a legal framework for public procurement.
Procurement Act 2023 – short guide for suppliers on GOV.UK
Find out more information about the Procurement Act 2023
All of our contracts, no matter what their value, are covered by the PCRs which incorporate the free movement of goods and services and prevents discrimination against firms on the grounds of nationality.
Find out about Public Contracts Regulations (PCRs) on the legislation website.
Procurement activity
We need to follow detailed procedures for all of our procurement activity above the financial thresholds.
Procurement activity and value (inclusive of VAT):
- values introduced in January 2024
- goods and services - £214,904
- works - £5,372,609
- social and other specific services (Schedule 3) - £663,540
All activity above these thresholds is advertised on the Find a Tender Service on GOV.UK.
Local rules
We have our own Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) which we must comply with.
These are part of the Cumberland Constitution.