Public contracts & cultural property
Public procurement (Procurement Act 2023)
Public procurement changed significantly under the Procurement Act 2023, and the rules reach a lot of cultural activity: council-run venues, publicly funded contracts and the organisations that bid for them. We help both sides get procurement right.
Who this is for
Local authorities and public bodies running procurement, council-operated venues and the organisations that manage them, and cultural and charitable organisations bidding for public contracts.
If someone has asked whether something is compliant, this page is for you.
At a glance
- The right procurement route
- Notices and transparency requirements
- Direct awards, modifications and frameworks
- Bids and challenges
How we help
For public bodies, we advise on running procurement lawfully under the Procurement Act 2023: choosing the right route, structuring the process, meeting the notice and transparency requirements, and handling the situations, such as direct awards, contract modifications and frameworks, where the rules are easy to slip on.
For organisations bidding, we help you understand what is being asked, respond well, and know your rights if a process has not been run fairly. Because we work for public bodies and for the cultural organisations that deal with them, we see these arrangements from both sides.
Talk to us
Not sure where to start? Book an online appointment and we will point you to the right help.
Email hello@proartsplus.co.uk or call 0330 127 1414 during office hours.
How it works
- Plan
We help you plan the process or the bid. - Run
We help you run it so it stands up to scrutiny. - Respond
We help bidders put their best foot forward. - Challenge
We advise if a process has gone wrong.
We keep the advice practical and focused on the outcome you need.
Why ProArtsPlus
Procurement is a technical area many cultural advisers avoid, yet it runs right through our public-sector and venue work. We understand the Procurement Act 2023 and the sector it applies to.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Procurement Act 2023 apply to us?
It applies to public bodies such as councils and the contracts they award, so it reaches council-run venues and organisations delivering publicly funded contracts. Whether and how it applies to you depends on your situation, which we help you work out.
Can you help us bid for a public contract?
Yes. We help you understand the requirements, respond effectively, and understand your rights if you think a process has been run unfairly.
We run a council-owned venue. Does procurement affect us?
Often, both in contracts you award and in how your own arrangement was set up. We handle procurement alongside the operating and venue agreements.
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Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will point you to the right help.