DUDLEY council is to review its purchasing procedures after it was revealed that to build a short path made up of just five paving slabs can cost over £2,000.

A handrail across two steps was also said to cost more than £1,400.

The startling cost was revealed as the borough’s cabinet met to discuss its £10 million housing strategy.

Cllr Cathryn Bayton, demanding the council get the best value for money, told the meeting:  “I was absolutely outraged after attending a tenants’  association meeting last night at a high rise block in my ward, to find out that a handrail across two steps was going to cost over £1,400.

“A path was also going to cost in excess of £2,000 when you are talking of about four or five flagstones.”

She added: “So we are talking about value for money, can we really pay some attention to the small contracts?  

“I’m not talking about the really big stuff but the small contracted out work where I think we can save an awful lot of money.” 

Cllr Simon Phipps, cabinet member for procurement, transformation and commercialisation, in response said he was investigating how the authority can make savings when ordering materials from its supplier, Jewson builder merchants. 

“Value for money has been in my cross-hairs for quite a while in terms of when getting these sort of items,” he said.

“One of the outcomes of my visit to Jewsons with officers, is that quite a few times there is an over-specification of items.

“What happens is because there are certain requirements for handrails in regards social care provision or needs, we tend to get the same handrail quoted to us even for jobs when you don’t necessarily require that standard.

“So there needs to be a review with Jewsons and that is what contract managers are focusing on.”

Cllr Bayton, speaking after the meeting, said the council should investigate how it could employ local contractors who could charge lower prices.

“If someone was to quote me £1,400 to put in a set of handrails for two steps, I, like everyone else would go elsewhere. So we can get value for money but also get social value by supporting local businesses,” she said.

A spokesperson for Jewson said: "“We’re very pleased to be working with Dudley Council as part of a materials supply agreement.

"We were awarded this contract after one of the most rigorous and detailed processes we’ve been involved in to procure goods.

"We can’t go into the details of the specific price of materials that we supply to Dudley as it’s part of a confidential commercial arrangement, but we do work very closely with the Council to ensure what we provide is suitable, high-quality and good value for money.

"We do not recognise at all the prices quoted. An example of the typical price we may charge for 5 paving slabs would be in the region of £30-40 – not the £2,000 quoted.”