To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Office of Government Commerce monitors local authorities’ compliance with its relevant codes of practice during the tendering process for local government contracts. (221687)

Subject to their legal duties local authorities are responsible for taking their own procurement decisions. In doing so, they must work within the legal framework governing public procurement. They also have regard to policy and guidance on public procurement set out by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), as appropriate. The OGC does not directly monitor local authorities’ compliance with the legal framework or with its policy and guidance.