Businesses have won deals worth more than £100 million since an online initiative was launched by Surrey County Council in a team-up with East Sussex County Council.

More than 80 contracts totalling £102 million have been clinched since the councils created the SE Shared Services website ten months ago.

Surrey county chiefs announced the news this week after West Sussex County Council joined the initiative.

The online initiative was launched to make things easier for firms to bid for deals worth more than £100,000 by slashing red tape and simplifying the process. Waverley Borough Council is also involved.

Building and repair contracts worth more than £10 million have also been won by local businesses through the BuildSurrey website, launched by Surrey as part of a pledge to ensure 60% of its spending on goods and services stays local.

Denise Le Gal, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for business services, said: “Local businesses are the heartbeat of every community and our role is to help them do what they do best – create jobs and promote growth.”

Coun Le Gal said: “BuildSurrey is clearly doing that and I have no doubt both websites will continue to go from strength to strength as part of our efforts to help local businesses thrive.”

Rupert Simmons, East Sussex County Council lead member for economy, said: “The value of deals won since the launch of the shared services website is testament to its success in easing the process of bidding for contracts.”

Coun Simmons said: “This is an excellent example of authorities working together to boost economic growth by allowing companies to do business with the minimum of red tape.”

Around 7,300 businesses have registered on the site – more than 500 of them after West Sussex joined the initiative.

A Surrey County Council spokesman said other councils have also expressed an interest in signing up.