Checklist/Questions to ask if considering tendering for national or local government or statutory service contracts
The Government's recent proposals to create the "Big Society" may offer Parochial Church Councils or Churches Together groups the opportunity to take on work currently undertaken by the public sector. These new arrangements may be of benefit to local neighbourhoods.
PCCs may find this list of questions helpful in deciding whether to consider enetering into contracts with local authorities or other public bodies. Negative answers to some questions do not imply that a church should not go ahead, but that the points have been considered and the risk evaluated.
- Does the contract fit your own mission, aims and objectives?
- Why is the church considering this path? What will be the benefits?
- What is the nature of the partnership?
- Will the income cover all the costs ("Full cost recovery"), including relevant consultancy, core and termination costs?
- Is the bureaucracy manageable?
- Are the time limits acceptable? For tendering? For agreeing the contract terms? For setting up the project? For meeting Returns deadlines?
- Will you have to subsidise the project - over the lenghth of the project and/or for the start-up period?
- Do both parties have equal rights to vary the contract?
- Is the contract period viable to complete the work properly?
- Will you let people or the community down or have to make staff redundant when the contract ends or government policy changes?
- Is it worth making a joint bid with a sister organisation?
- Are you able to limit your risk and liability through insurance or by another arrangement?
- What is the termination notice?
- Who will own the equipment at the end of the project?
John Paxton
Social Responsibility Officer.
August 2010.
