Business minister Norman Lamb wants to encourage more smaller firms in Norfolk to bid for public sector contracts

A local MP is urging more businesses to sign up to a procurement conference to help smaller companies win contracts in the public sector.

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Norman Lamb has joined forces with North Norfolk Business Forum (NNBF) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to bring together small and medium sized companies and the heads of procurement for public sector organisations.

These include Norfolk County Council, North Norfolk District Council, the fire, police and ambulance service, the NHS, Ministry of Justice and various housing associations - and more than 70 businesses have signed up already.

Mr Lamb said: “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to bring these organisations together. We want to give these smaller companies a fair crack at the whip.

“Our joint aim is to crack this stalemate and show public procurement isn’t just for the big boys outside Norfolk.”

He added that he hoped to explore ways of making it simpler for small companies to win contracts.

May Gurney will also be sponsoring an interactive tool kit to guide the companies through the contract process.

● The conference, funded through a grant from North Norfolk Community Partnership, will take place on February 24 from 9am at Pinewoods Leisure Centre, Upper Sheringham. For more information contact ruth.gripper@parliament.uk