Procurement and the council

We operate a strict "No Purchase Order, No Pay" approach. All orders for works, goods and services must have an official purchase order issued directly from the council's electronic procurement system, Oracle Fusion.

If you supply goods, services or works to us, you must obtain an official purchase order before you start any work or dispatch items. We can only process and pay invoices that include a valid purchase order number. 

Purchase order number (PON)

You will find the PON on the purchase order we sent you, this must be included on your invoice.

Supplier checklist - before you supply:

• do not start any work or deliver goods until you have a purchase order
• check the item descriptions, quantities and pricing on the purchase order match what you have been asked to supply
• keep the purchase order number so you can add it to your invoice

Invoicing rules

If your invoice does not include a purchase order number, we will not process it (except for a small number of agreed exceptions) resulting in your payment being delayed.

Payment timescales

Unless your contract says otherwise, we pay within 30 days of receiving a valid invoice.

If you do not have a purchase order

• contact the person who ordered the goods or service, request an official purchase order
• don't start work or deliver goods until you receive it