Decision details

Moved by Councillor Scully, seconded by Councillor Miller –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)          a local preference policy encourages the procurement of goods and services from local suppliers. This approach to procurement has been successfully adopted by several councils in Australia and abroad, with the aim of creating environmentally and socially beneficial procurement practices which support local business and strengthen the local economy;

(ii)         that where local procurement has been adopted in other cities it has created a number of environmental, social and economic benefits, including:

(a)        demonstrated investment in the local community;

(b)        local wealth building by developing local businesses and creating local job opportunities;

(c)         a shorter supply chain therefore reducing risk and cost;

(d)        reduced distance for goods delivery resulting in fewer carbon emissions; and

(e)        improved transparency around ethical labour standards within the supply chain;

(iii)        the City of Sydney's procurement policies and procedures must comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act 1993 and should consider the principles set out under the Tendering Guidelines for NSW Local Government ("the Guidelines");

(iv)       the Guidelines require that when considering expenditure of public monies Councils should:

(a)        be open, transparent and accountable in their dealings;

(b)        ensure that their dealings promote fairness and competition; and

(c)         obtain best value;

(v)         the Guidelines also state that "Where a council wants to consider local preference as a factor in the supply of goods and services, it should develop and adopt a local preference policy"; and

(vi)       this approach aligns with Sustainable Sydney 2030, Strategic Direction 6, Objective 6.3 - Develop and support local enterprise and employment; and

(B)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to investigate the possibility of developing a local preference policy for the City of Sydney, with consideration to all relevant statutory obligations and principles of best practice and report the findings back to Councillors.

Carried unanimously.

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