Doing Business with Us

We advertise contract opportunities on The Chest E-Procurement Portal and the Government Find a Tender.  

The Chest Registration is free for suppliers. Supplier registration.

Registering on The Chest allows you to select which goods, works and services you are interested in providing to the Council.  You will then be notified of all such opportunities published by Halton Borough Council.  You can also choose to be notified of similar opportunities published by other local authorities in the North West of England. 

Government Finder a Tender system: Find a Tender

Halton Borough Council undertakes fair and transparent procurement, with our processes simpler and more flexible to follow. We welcome interest from the whole supply chain and encourage SME, VCSE’s and new entrants to participate. Our focus is on achieving value for money while supporting positive outcomes for our communities.

Halton Borough Council complies with the Procurement Act 2023, ensuring fair and transparent competition within the supply market. We encourage suppliers to engage and participate with published opportunities to help us achieve value for money and social value in support of the Councils Corporate Plan and positive outcomes for our communities.  

The Procurement Act introduces a new approach to public procurement across the UK and replaces Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR2015).

It is designed to make the procurement process simpler, more transparent and more accessible, helping public sector organisations secure better outcomes while giving SME, VCSE’s and social enterprises greater opportunities to compete for and win public contracts. 

The Act places a stronger focus on openness, accountability and value for money, supported by new transparency requirements and the Central Digital Platform.

The Central Digital Platform (CDP) is the government's online portal that supports the transparency commitments under the Procurement Act 2023. The CDP is where all UK Contracting Authorities will publish information relating to procurement notices and documents. 

It provides a single place where suppliers can register their business details once and use them for multiple public sector opportunities, reducing duplication and making it easier to bid for contracts.

Whether you're new to public sector procurement or an existing supplier, the links and training material's below will provide practical support to help you navigate the new system confidently, upload organisational information and how to search and bid for opportunities. 

Benefits:

• Quick Registration
• Automatic Alerts when new opportunities arise
• Free to use with accessible online guidance
• Can also view opportunities published by other local Authorities across the North West.

Guide on registering on the Central Digital Platform (video):

A guide for suppliers: How to register an organisation and the first administrator in 3 easy steps

As a result of recent changes to public procurement legislation, from the 1st April 2026, all suppliers wishing to participate in public sector procurement opportunities are now required to obtain a Public Procurement Organisation Number (PPON).

Registration helps ensure compliance with the new governing requirements, improves supplier identification across procurement systems, supports a more efficient procurement process in line with Procurement Act 2023 and publication of relevant notices and contract information. We therefore ask all suppliers to complete their registration.

If your organisation does not yet have a PPON, you will need to register on the Cabinet Office Central Digital Platform (Find a Tender) before you can bid for a public sector contract.

Use the URL below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/how-to-register-your-organisation-and-find-your-unique-identifier-a-guide-for-suppliers-html

Registration should take no longer than 5 minutes. Your organisations PPON will then be used in respect of all future procurement, you will only need to register

The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 came into force during 2013, the Act introduces a statutory requirement for public authorities to have regard to economic, social and environmental well-being in connection with services contracts.

The Act requires local authorities to consider how what is being procured might improve the well-being of the local area.

The Council’s Social Value Policy outlines our ambitions and expectations to go beyond financial value and enhance the quality of life of local communities through actions to improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the borough and its community.

Social Value Policy Link

Register on the CDP: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/

Supplier Guidance: Information and guidance for suppliers - GOV.UK

Navigating the Central Digital Platform: Buyers and Suppliers: How to use the Central Digital Platform, the enhanced Find a Tender service (HTML) - GOV.UK 

Procurement Act Knowledge Drops: The Official Transforming Public Procurement Knowledge Drops - GOV.UK

Procurement Strategy

The Chest Contract Register - https://procontract.due-north.com/register

If you are asked to supply goods or services to Halton Borough Council for the first time we will need to create your supplier record on our finance system so we can pay your invoices promptly. We’ll send you a form to complete and return to us so we can get you set up.

If you need to inform us of a change to the information we hold for you e.g. change of bank details, please email Finance.SupportServices@halton.gov.uk.

To help us to pay you quickly, please submit your invoice electronically. Invoices should be submitted to hbcinvoice@halton.gov.uk

For information, the Council offers an Early Payment Scheme which can provide cash flow benefits to your business.

This programme enables your invoices to be paid ahead of contractual payment terms in exchange for a pre-agreed rebate. For more information about this offering please email earlypayment.scheme@halton.gov.uk

We can also pay your invoices early if you are able to accept card payments. Please contact Finance.SupportServices@halton.gov.uk for more information.

The Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) is a Government-led scheme that covers all construction work. If you are a sub-contractor undertaking work for Halton Borough Council please email Finance.SupportServices@halton.gov.uk for any advice concerning payments due under the CIS Scheme.