South Ayrshire Council News

Pictured are (left to right) Nick Larkin, Maria Weir, Jane Toye, Gary Robinson, Councillor Hywel Davies, Tom Young, Amy Burnett and Calum McPhail

South Ayrshire Council hosted a free Supplier Development Programme (SDP) seminar at the Horizon Hotel in Ayr, to explain to small and medium enterprises the process to be followed when submitting a tender to supply products and services to the public sector.

The Council has recently joined the SDP is jointly funded by various local councils throughout Scotland, but predominantly those in the west coast, including North and East Ayrshire Council.

Councillor Hywell Davies, the Council's Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity attended the seminar said: "The seminar clearly explained to people how to apply to supply products and services to public sector organisations using the tendering process. Contracts secured through the tendering process can be extremely valuable to companies. I would encourage businesses to come forward, submit tenders and if they are successful it will bring a welcome boost to their business."

The seminar in Ayr was hosted by South Ayrshire Council and run in conjunction with North and East Ayrshire Councils.

Businesses can register with SDP for FREE at www.sdpscotland.co.uk and get access to public sector buying information; links to procurement portals; 'B-link' a quarterly newsletter delivered to all eligible registered companies and the opportunity to attend workshops and events organised by SDP and public sector procurement departments.

The seminar also provided an opportunity for representatives of businesses to meet, network and exchange views on the tendering process.