The Power of Procurement II: The policy and practice of Manchester City Council

Places across the UK are striving to find new ways of attracting wealth, enhancing economic growth and addressing poverty. For the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), the attraction of wealth is understandable; but of more importance is understanding and harnessing existing wealth for the benefit of local economies and communities. The process of procurement is crucial to the concept of community or local wealth building as it is a means through which greater local economic, social and environmental benefits can be achieved for local places and people. CLES are the pioneers of, and have been at the forefront of work around progressive procurement in the UK.

This publication reflects on work undertaken collaboratively in Manchester over the last ten years and particularly details: what we have done; what we have achieved; what still needs to be done; and key success factors.