Two South East councils have created a new website to make it easier for businesses to bid on council contracts worth over £100,000.

Surrey and East Sussex CCs said the initiative will help cut the cost and red tape for firms bidding on deals, as they only need to register once. Companies can also use the site to bid on joint contracts.

The new website will cut the cost of bidding on council contracts.

Rupert Simmons, East Sussex CC lead member for economy, said: ‘As we are now beginning to see an upturn in the economy, it’s vital that companies are allowed to do business with the minimum of red tape to maximise their potential.

‘Business doesn’t stop at county boundaries and this initiative, the latest example of our close working relationship with Surrey, will ease the process of creating jobs and boosting the economy in both counties.’

The councils expect around 150 opportunities a year will be advertised on the site, and hope to extend it out to other local authorities in the future.

Firms have already won contracts worth a total of £1.5m through Surrey CC’s new procurement website.