Sandwell Council has been shortlisted as a finalist in the LGC 2018 Awards.

An LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Award is one of the most prestigious and coveted awards for a local authority. So we’re delighted that Sandwell Council’s Business Growth team has been nominated in the Business Transformation category.

Our shortlisted entry focused on the council’s formation of community SME cluster groups. This is a unique supply chain initiative which has helped a collaboration of Sandwell firms to win a lucrative contract on the new £430m Midland Metropolitan Hospital. The landmark hospital development is currently under construction in Smethwick.

Councillor Paul Moore, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economy said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the award. Our innovative work with local SMEs on procurement efficiency and new work-winning techniques demonstrates the council’s dynamic and pioneering approach in engaging with local businesses, providing them with the knowledge, skills and capabilities to be successful both here in Sandwell, across the West Midlands and the wider UK.

“It’s also really humbling for us to have received recognition from leading local government experts and peers from the public sector.”

Facing competition from huge local authorities across the UK, Sandwell Council is the only West Midlands council to be nominated for a prize this year.

We are proud to be recognised for our visionary work and exemplary partnership approach to procurement, helping cluster groups of indigenous SMEs to gain the right combination of buying skills, reverse engineering and spend mapping experience to unlock the business-winning benefits that collaborative bidding presents.

The next step is for the shortlisted finalists to present to a panel of judges on Monday 15 January 2018. The winners will be announced at the LGC Awards ceremony on Wednesday 21 March 2018 at the Grosvenor House on Park Lane in London. Wish us luck!