AN INNOVATIVE way of handing out contracts to private firms has scooped Worcestershire County Council a national award.

County Hall picked up the award for Outstanding Achievement in Procurement for its idea of selling off contracts on the internet in eBay-style auctions.

With the council’s e-auctions, however, it is the lowest bidder that wins - the company which offers to provide the service at the lowest cost to the taxpayer is awarded the contract.

School transport and local bus services have already been outsourced in this way, and the council says the process is saving it significant sums of money.

Michael Howard is the council’s strategic procurement manager, in charge of buying equipment and services for the council.

“I am extremely proud of the procurement team,” he said. “This award is recognition that we are a leading authority in procurement.

“The growth of the internet and computer technology has opened up enormous opportunities for us to streamline the procurement process and come up with innovative ideas with other teams in the authority.”

The council beat off competition from Leicestershire County Council and Northamptonshire County Council to collect the award from the Society of Procurement Offices in Local Government.

Councillor Derek Prodger, cabinet member for the environment, said: “This is an excellent achievement for the transport and procurement teams. It is an innovative concept that is making real savings for the county council, and to be recognised nationally is fantastic.”