The training budget is currently administered centrally. as part of a cost—cutting exercise the board of directors have voted unanimously in favour of the proposal that individual departments will have control of this process. this means that from the next financial year, all managers will have control of, and responsibility for, their department training budget. as a safeguard against possible falls in quality, the following rules must be observed. firstly, all contracts for provision of training must go out to competitive tender. a minimum of three quotes must be obtained for each individual contract. these quotes must be documented and retained at the respective departments for the duration of the contract. secondly, the award of contracts will normally be made solely on price. procurement will consider written justiï¬cations where managers wish to award the contract to a higher quote. finally, all suppliers must hold quality awards that are appropriate to the relevant industry.