Payroll management services

Tender description

Westcountry Schools Trust are currently out to tender for the provision of payroll, HR admin and associated services The Trust requires a supplier to undertake the payroll, HR Admin and associated services in accordance with good practice so as to provide a high service standard throughout the Trust for the benefit of their staff. Complete information regarding the service requirement for the Trust can be found in the statement of requirements which is part of the tender pack. The supplier will be responsible for the provision of skilled payroll and HR administration personnel to provide an efficient, timely and proactive payroll, HR Admin and associated services provision. In addition, they will be required to provide day to day support to the Trust’s Central HR and Finance staff as well as named representatives (finance lead and HR admin lead) at each school. Westcountry Schools Trust is a Multi Academy Trust consisting of 22 schools located in Devon. The Trust currently utilises three Local Authority providers (Devon, Cornwall and Plymouth) for provision of payroll and HR administration services. Whilst broadly happy with the service they are looking to make some changes. There are a number of issues with the current provision which mainly relate to the fact that the Trust are using three different service providers. The recent pay award is a prime example where this had to be instructed three separate times. Data, which is inconsistent, is in three different places, nothing is harmonised. In short, the situation as it stands is causing the Trust significant additional workload. Based on the number of payslips being processed, and contracts being issued, the Trust is keen to ensure that they appoint one sufficiently experienced and efficient service provider alongside seeking ‘best value’ in respect of all supplies of goods and services. Westcountry Schools Trust is conducting a tender process to award a contract for the provision of ‘Payroll, HR Admin and Associated Services’. The contract is to commence on 1 September 2021.