Overview
All public procurement must be based on value for money, which is defined as "the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay over the whole life cycle of the goods or services bought". This should be achieved through competitive tendering unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary.
The Procurement Act, passed by Parliament in October 2023, came into force on 24 February 2025.
On this webpage, you can learn more about the council's Procurement rules (Procurement Code) and the Procurement Act. The government also released the National Procurement Policy Statement, which outlines the UK Government's strategic priorities for public procurement.
Key points include:
- value for money: emphasising the importance of optimising public funds by balancing effectiveness, efficiency, and economy.
- economic growth: supporting small businesses and social enterprises, promoting high-quality jobs, and encouraging innovation.
- social value: ensuring public contracts deliver social and economic benefits, including diversity and inclusion. See our Responsible Procurement section (add link)
- environmental sustainability: aiming for net-zero emissions, reducing waste, and promoting green technologies
Westminster’s Procurement Code
The Procurement Code forms part of the Westminster City Council Constitution and governs our procurement and contract activities. The Code sets out policy obligations for council officials to translate existing legislations and regulations into practice, making the best use of resources and delivering the best value whilst taking into account cost and quality over the whole life of the contract. It serves as a guide to those involved in procurement and contract management activity to help give practical effect to our priorities whilst mitigating commercial and compliance risk, protecting officials and the council's reputation, and ensuring that we are operating within the law.
We are due to publish an updated version of the Procurement Code in March 2025. For more details on the Procurement Act and previous procurement legislation please see below.
Read our full Procurement Code.
Procurement Act 2023
The Procurement Act received Royal Assent in October 2023 and came into effect in February 2025.
The new Act includes provisions to make public procurement more transparent and generate better value for money. It also aims to make public contracts more accessible to SMEs and third-sector organisations by creating a more competitive and diversified market and giving them more advanced notices to orientate their resources to bid for government contracts.
To achieve this, the Act will introduce a new set of 20 notices that contracting authorities have to publish throughout the procurement process. Every year contracting authorities will have to publish a 'Pipeline Notice' detailing their procurement plans for the next 18 months over the value of £2 million. This will allow suppliers to better engage with us in advance.
Download our guidance for suppliers.
Public Contracts Regulations 2015
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 are the main regulations governing public procurement in the UK. They were implemented in 2014 to align the UK with the EU Procurement Directives.
In 2015, the Local Government Transparency Code was introduced to give citizens more power, improve democratic accountability, and make it easier for people to participate in local decisions and influence public services. Transparency is essential for local accountability, providing people with the information and tools to take a more active role in society. Access to data can also create opportunities for local businesses, community groups, and social enterprises to deliver services or manage public resources.
The Procurement Act 2023 includes provisions that will replace most of the existing regulations.
Concession and Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016
In April 2016, the Concessions Contracts Regulations and the Utilities Contracts Regulations came into effect to modernise rules for awarding concession contracts above certain financial thresholds by public authorities and utilities and for procuring goods, services and works above certain financial thresholds , respectively.
Both regulations will be replaced by the Procurement Act 2023.
