SOUTH Tyneside firms are being provided with a helping hand to win public-sector work in the borough in a five-year initiative aiming to boost the local economy.

Supply South Tyneside has been launched by the local authority to increase spending with local firms from the current £51m to £80.5m by 2017.

The scheme will also work with businesses to help them understand how the procurement process works and how they can bid for and win public- sector contracts.

Coun Ed Malcolm, lead member, resources and innovation, said: “In order to achieve this massive increase in spending with local firms and businesses, we have to make amendments to the council’s constitution and to change the regulations on procurement.

“The whole idea is to spend more council money locally and to allow as many local firms as possible to compete for contracts to supply goods and services.

“There can be no guarantees that the new policy will mean that local businesses will secure contracts locally. However, there is a firm commitment from the council to provide additional advice and support so that local suppliers maximise their chances to access procurement opportunities.”

The scheme is the result of a meeting between more than 140 local businesses, organisations and council representatives last month to explore how more South Tyneside firms can benefit from public-sector contracts.