Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation Explained

YPO
Type:Public sector
Foundation:1974
Location:Wakefield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Industry:Public Sector Procurement
Revenue:UKĀ£ 660m[1]
Homepage:http://www.ypo.co.uk/

YPO, also referred to as Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation, is a publicly owned central purchasing body[2] based in Wakefield, Yorkshire.[3] It is owned and governed by a consortium of county, metropolitan and borough councils in Yorkshire and the North West England.[4] [5] It provides a wide range of resources and services to schools, councils, charities, emergency services, and other public sector organisations. It claims to be the 'largest formally constituted public sector buying organisation in the UK'.[6]

YPO was formed as the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation in 1974 as a joint committee of local authorities,[7] and grew through the 1970s and 80s as schools gained power of their own budgets under the Local Management of Schools provisions of the Education Reform Act 1988.[8] The organisation is unsubsidised and budgets to make a small surplus each year, with profits returned to member authorities and customers.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Us: YPO At A Glance. 31 March 2012.
  2. As defined in Public Contracts Regulations 2015, regulation 37
  3. News: YPO brings its bulk buying power to the private sector. 17 January 2016. Yorkshire Post. 22 September 2014.
  4. Web site: About Us : Structure. 16 July 2023.
  5. Web site: YORKSHIRE PURCHASING ORGANISATION. www2.wigantoday.net. 17 January 2016.
  6. News: YPO celebrates four decades of supplying the public sector. 17 January 2016. Wakefield Express. 18 May 2014.
  7. Web site: FORMATION OF A YORKSHIRE PURCHASING ORGANISATION. democracy.york.gov. 17 January 2016. 1 April 2014.
  8. Web site: Our History in Public Procurement. 16 July 2023.