It is vital with all money spent that a full account is taken of all the implications both economic and social of this spend. This includes ensuring that all goods, works and services procured by the council are in line with their equality obligations.
All procurement within the London Borough of Hillingdon is governed by the EU directives and UK regulations, which include the Public Contracts Regulations (2015). All contracts and spend by the council is subject to EU Treaty based principles of non-discrimination, equal treatment, transparency and proportionality. All London Borough of Hillingdon contracts over £20,000 can be viewed on capitalEsourcing - and all suppliers are invited to bid for these contracts.
In order to achieve best value and maximum efficiency, the London Borough of Hillingdon awards contracts on the basis of the "most economically advantageous tender" taking into account the whole life costs, which consider quality, social and environmental benefits, including equalities and diversity as well as price. Questions relating to Equalities will be asked in the PQQ and/or ITT questionnaire, and are related to the contract being awarded. Suppliers are required to evidence compliance of their equality practice, and that these meet the council's stated requirements.
The London Borough of Hillingdon's terms and conditions include clauses on equalities for both suppliers and their sub contractors. Suppliers working with the council must abide by all UK laws including the Equality Act 2010. Suppliers working with the council will be monitored during the life of the contract, in order to ensure compliance with the council's Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). In addition the council will require the supplier to provide equalities data on a yearly basis for those staff working on behalf of or with the council.
Those suppliers who are providing services where previously the council would have carried out these functions, are required to have due regard of the council's duty under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and will need to take some responsibility in aiding the council to achieve its duty in this respect. This includes ensuring the supplier eliminates discrimination, harassment and victimisation within the service provision, promotes equal opportunities for service users as well as training and recruitment and foster good relations between staff and service users who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not share it.