Blackpool Third Sector Strategic Forum contract awarded

Blackpool Council has awarded the contract to host and develop Blackpool’s Third Sector Strategic Forum to the Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde CVS (Council for Voluntary Service).

In a press release issued today Blackpool Council stated its desire to create a new and innovative project which will create and co-ordinate an accountable voice for the Third Sector in Blackpool.

Blackpool has well over 400 ‘not-for-profit’ groups ranging from small residents associations to large charities. All these groups fall under the umbrella of the term “third sector”.

Cllr Peter Callow, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “I’m delighted that the CVS have been awarded this contract. There are huge benefits to be made from having one focussed organisation solely concentrating on helping the not for profit organisations which in turn enables us to reach them more effectively.

“The CVS will be offering help and advice to community, voluntary and faith groups within the town regardless of their size. The third sector play a vital role in this town and we need to ensure we are providing opportunities for them to flourish and make as much as impact as possible. This move is a really positive step for Blackpool and one I’m sure will be embraced by the third sector.”

See also earlier post Third Sector Czar for Blackpool?

Also Third Sector Strategic Forum Manager vacancy advertised in The Guardian.

Third Sector Czar for Blackpool?

Blackpool Council looks set to announce its plans for the Blackpool Third Sector Assembly following its failure to appoint a hosting body through its tendering process.

No official announcement has been made and interested parties have yet to be informed, however Council sources have indicated that the new Assembly strategy will revolve around the appointment of a new senior third sector official in the town.

It is expected that the new postholder will be tasked with establishing the Assembly but will also liaise at a senior level within Blackpool Council and other statutory partners in order to build a greater understanding and recognition of the role of the third sector in the town. While most groups in the town will probably welcome such an appointment that can boost the credibility of the sector at a key strategic level, critics will undoubtedly question whether resources destined for the third sector should be spent on capacity building the statutory sector. Perhaps the statutory sector should pay for its own capacity building?

It remains to be seen exactly what the Council will do next. However, what is clear is that ideas for creating one ‘Local Infrastructure Organisation’ in the town floated by Blackpool Council in September 2007 in response to the Burnby Report, seemed to have morphed into something different. Of course, left out of the discussion on this matter (except for some limited consultation carried out by Blackpool SURF), are the very groups and organisations that will be expected to take part in any new initiative.

Who will manage the Blackpool Third Sector Strategic Forum or Assembly?

IT SEEMS NO ONE WILL…. at least for the time being. Following the Tender Process initiated by Blackpool Council in December 2007, bids were submitted by Blackpool Forward (Barnardo’s/Blackpool SURF) and Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde CVS.

Blackpool Council have written to the two bidders and informed each that their offer has not been successful. Both bidders have requested a ‘de-brief’ from the Council.

Additionally, the Council under European legislation have posted a formal notice informing the Office of Publications of the European Communities of their decision not to award a contract. They have further indicated their intention to undertake a ‘Negotiated Procedure route’ as a result of this failure to award.

The Negotiated Procedure has been described thus by Blackpool Council:

“the contracting authority consults the economic operators of its choice and negotiates the terms of the contract with them.

The following cases justify the use of the negotiated procedure with prior publication of a contract notice:

• following another procedure which revealed the presence of irregular tenders, insofar as this new procedure does not substantially alter the terms of the contract;
• in exceptional cases, when the nature of the contracts or the risks attaching thereto prevent prior pricing;
• in the field of services, for intellectual services which do not permit the use of an open or restricted procedure;
• for works which are performed solely for purposes of research or testing.

The term “irregular tenders”:  A tender may be considered irregular if the contractor fails to meet the requirements of, or the tender offers variations on the requirements specified in, the contract documents.”

Both bidders are still waiting to hear details of the “de-briefing” process and presumably to be formally notified of the above procedure.