WHAT does it take to bid for a City of York Council contract?

Councillors on the city's resources scrutiny committee want YOU to be the small business person to give them the answer.

Coun David Scott, committee chairman, is eager to learn why it is that so few local businesses make their pitch for council contracts.

And he has invited anyone from the York business community to stand up at a meeting at the Guildhall on Monday to tell the committee ways in which the council can smooth their path.

Coun Scott has made a number of attempts to find small and medium business leaders who could help them, but to avail.

He said that the scrutiny officer, Barbara Boyce, contacted the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Clifton Moor Association, but no volunteers came forward.

Coun Scott said: "We want to promote sustainable procurement for City of York Council and part of that is to promote a mixed economy - a balance between the size of the enterprises, whether small, medium, or multinational, plus use of the voluntary sector.

"It's hard from our perspective to give a precise reason why so few small local companies pitch for our contracts. But it may be something to do with red tape - the amount of documentation they have to complete - in which case there is definite room for improvement.

"For instance, we have considered having reduced tender type documents for smaller businesses.

"We have also considered the use of e-procurement so that tenderers can be easily guided through the process and apply instantly.

"Then again, it could be that business people literally do not know to whom to turn, so we are considering an open day so that firms can see what is on offer and be encouraged to go for it. Meanwhile, we're offering this forum. Take advantage of it."

Anyone who wants to speak at the Guildhall meeting should phone Barbara Boyce on 01904 613161, otherwise written submissions can be made to Coun Scott at the Guildhall, York, YO1 9QN.

Updated: 09:59 Thursday, February 17, 2005