In August, our executive approved a bold strategy detailing a fresh approach to how we use our procurement process to benefit the local economy. The five-year strategy sets out how our procurement activities across the organisation can contribute to driving the wealth of Luton, a town which faces challenges around poverty and social mobility.

Prosperity Through Procurement supports a range of measures to address deprivation in Luton. We will do this by making it easier for local suppliers to do business with the council and by working with other local public sector partners in exploring how we can develop more localised supply chains. It is part of our commitment to improving skills and productivity and the quality of life of residents by increasing the proportion of council expenditure in the town.