New research has revealed that Aberdeenshire Council has issued 92 tenders in the past two years – earning bronze status for business value.
This comes as the government is set to overhaul how council funding is allocated across England in 2026 – with some councils set to gain significantly while others lose out, potentially impacting firms that rely on local authority contracts.¹
The business finance experts at money.co.uk business bank accounts have analysed tender data from 358 UK councils over the past two years, revealing which local authorities are offering the most contracts.
Top-ranking councils in the platinum tier include Westmorland and Furness Council, which offered 418 total tenders, or 183 tenders per 100,000 residents, in the last two years – the highest rate in the UK.
The gold tier includes 10 councils that offer impressive tender opportunities to businesses, including Leicester with 517 tenders in the last two years – equivalent to 136 per 100,000 residents.
Silver tier councils maintain regular tendering activity, representing reliable opportunities for businesses seeking consistent public sector contracts. Nottingham and Chesterfield councils share the lead, issuing 106 tenders per 100,000 residents.
Meanwhile, the bronze tier where Aberdenshire Council sits is made up of 282 councils offering between 1 and 60 tenders per 100,000 residents, or up to 17 per 1,000 businesses.
Joe Phelan, money.co.uk business bank account expert, commented:
“For businesses in sectors like construction, professional services, healthcare, or specialist supply, council contracts offer major opportunities. But they also come with strict financial scrutiny.
“Before awarding contracts, councils will almost always assess a business’s financial stability. That means clear, up-to-date accounts, strong cash flow, and evidence that your operations can handle the scale and demands of public sector work.
“To stand out, your financial systems need to be well organised. A dedicated business bank account helps keep finances separate and makes it easier to generate the reports councils expect. The businesses that can quickly demonstrate both financial health and operational readiness are more often than not the ones councils will trust to deliver.”
The tenders awarded by Aberdeenshire Council for the last two years cover transport, construction, maintenance, waste management, IT, and social care contracts, and include:
Local Bus Service (August 2022-2026): Stagecoach Bluebird, Deveron Coaches Limited, Central Taxis (Aberdeen) Limited, £784,784.
Foveran School – Boiler Replacement & Controls: Richard Irvin FM Ltd, £46,500.
Fraserburgh Academy – Storage Tank Upgrade: Hutcheon Services Ltd, £10,729.
Aberdeenshire Resurfacing Works 2024-25: John McGeady Ltd, Leiths (Scotland) Ltd, £669,000.
AWP Light Replacement (Aboyne & Turriff): R B Wilson (Electrical) Ltd, about £26,000 per site.
Residual & POPs Waste Disposal: Cireco (Scotland) Ltd, £120,000.
Treatment of Organic Food Waste: Keenan Recycling Ltd, £2,510,817.
Cygnum Homecare Scheduling Software: CACI, £321,187.
Seaweed Cultivation Trials: SAMS Enterprise Ltd, £53,544.
Tenants’ Contents Insurance: Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance.
In Case You Missed it:
Tips to get financially tender-ready:
- Make sure your accounts are up to date: Councils will often request recent financial statements. Having professionally prepared accounts ready to go helps you move quickly and confidently on opportunities.
- Choose a business bank account with strong reporting tools: Look for accounts that offer downloadable transaction history, monthly summaries, and easy integration with accounting software. This will make pulling the necessary information for PQQs (pre-qualification questionnaires) far easier.
- Monitor cash flow and savings regularly: Councils want to know you can deliver on the contract, so tracking cash flow and savings helps you spot and solve potential issues.
- Showcase past performance and relevant experience: Demonstrating that you’ve successfully delivered similar contracts, whether for other councils or private clients, builds trust. Case studies, testimonials, and proof of delivery all strengthen your application.
Te full report can be found here.
