Paying our suppliers

Suppliers need a purchase order number before providing any goods, works or services to us.

This is in order to:

• provide legal protection for both the council and the provider by ensuring a legal document exists between the two parties
• ensure that all council spend is approved at the correct management level
• create commitments against budgets in the finance system, leading to improved budget management and more streamlined purchasing processes

We follow the government legislation on prompt payments to providers.

We aim to pay providers as soon as possible - within 30 days of receiving a valid, undisputed invoice.

Where a provider enters into a subcontract, they should also be paid following the prompt payment policy.