Other community, social and personal services

Tender description

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is an indication of potential future procurement activity. The PIN is not part of any pre-qualification or selection process and does not represent a commitment to procure anything. Since 2011 Cornwall Council has chosen to fund four Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) ‘infrastructure' organisations through a four year package of funding, which has recently been extended to September 2016. This funding enabled those organisations to deliver a strategic voice and representation of the sector, community development work, communications and support for volunteering. The sector plays a vital role in helping to reduce demand on statutory services. Cornwall Council’s strategy and the NHS Five Year Forward Plan both make strong references to the importance of the sector in delivering services and helping to build the capacity of our communities. In October 2014 Cornwall Council received a Transformation Challenge Award grant (TCA) from central government to look at how the Council and the VCSE could work better together. One of the objectives was to establish a new model of VCSE sector support to help it to adapt, thrive and grow. The current providers of sector support are all represented on the Programme Board overseeing this programme. Cornwall Council, potentially working with its local public sector partners, is now considering tendering for a VCSE development partner for 3-5 years. This partner will need to be accountable to the wider sector. The role of this partner will be to work with the Council to develop and build the capacity of the VCSE and communities to tackle local challenges and reduce demand on statutory services. The Council may consider ‘seed funding’ areas of work — or the development of tools — that can help sector support become more self-sustaining. Any funding must align to the strategic objectives of the Council and, potentially, its public sector partners. Over the last five months we have been talking to various public and VCSE organisations but in May 2016 we will undertake a series of market engagement sessions and grass roots co-design sessions to help inform how we best commission sector support going forward. The Council is considering the advantages and disadvantages of different types of procurement and contract and is considering the feasibility of getting a contract with a provider in place by the beginning of October 2016. We will also be holding two half-day market events for potential suppliers on 25.5.2016 to discuss both elements of a potential specification and different routes to market. There will be opportunities to ask questions and meet with commissioners on a one to one basis. To register your interest in attending please email TCA@cornwall.gov.uk. Please note additional documentation is available via the accompanying advert on Contracts Finder.