FLINTSHIRE Council will discuss the possibility of making its supply chain more locally focussed.

At its cabinet meeting on October 22, the council is to review its Procurement Strategy - with it spending nearly £200 million each year on goods, services and construction.

The proposals place greater emphasis on purchasing locally, within the county of Flintshire itself and the wider area of the North Wales and Mersey Dee Alliance.

This is so that more of the spend goes back into the local economy and to businesses that employ Flintshire residents.

It also makes links to broader polices adopted by the council on ensuring that its supply chain does not support unethical practice, and on requiring contractors to ;give something back to the community' through its social value policy.

The revised strategy also sets out how the council will begin to achieve its aims of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

A large proportion of the council’s carbon footprint will be generated by the goods and services it buys so in future the council will asking its contractor’s to work to reduce their own carbon emissions.

Councillor Billy Mullin, cabinet member for corporate management and assets said: “It is important that Flintshire County Council spends its money in a way that supports and furthers its values and aims.

“The Council wants to build a strong, local economy where employees delivering services on behalf of or to the council are well treated, and where the goods and services it buys do not harm the environment or contribute to global warning. The revisions to this Procurement Strategy underpin those commitments and will help to make them a reality.”