How to do Business with the Council - A Supplier's Guide Page 1

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How to do Business with the Council

A Suppliers Guide

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council (Tameside M.B.C.) spends approximately £100 million per annum on the provision of goods, services and works.

The Council is committed to providing a high quality service to meet both the current and future needs of local people. Effective procurement, based on value for money, supports the Council in achieving this vision and meeting its corporate objectives. As a result, suppliers have a key role to play and the Council encourages competition, welcoming bids from both new and existing suppliers.

This guide has been produced to assist suppliers by:

Providing an awareness of the rules the Council must follow in inviting suppliers to bid for contracts
Informing suppliers how to identify opportunities from the range of goods, services and works required by the Council
Explaining how to tender for Council contracts
How to register for the NWIEP/AGMA online E-business Portal
Providing specific information relating to each Service Unit of the Council

2. Procurement Policy

2.1 Contractual Arrangements

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The Council arranges contracts covering the procurement of a wide range of goods, works and services.

The Procurement Policy of the Council is to provide a formal framework to be used by all of the Service Units engaged in procurement on behalf of the Authority. Its purpose is to ensure that all goods, works and services purchased are of optimum quality and quantity and obtained at the most competitive price (Best Value) to meet the needs for which they are required.

2.2 Goods and Services Contracts

Contracts for commonly required goods and services are undertaken centrally by Tameside Procurement. For procurement of all other specific goods and services it is the responsibility of each Service Unit.

Tendering procedures will vary in detail between the various Service Units, nonetheless all Service Units will generally adhere to a policy that will:

Avoid over specifying a requirement.
Write specifications as far as possible in terms of output not input.
Invite a sufficient number of tenderers to ensure a fair competition but remove barriers to participation by small suppliers without discriminating against larger suppliers.
Provide clear documentation.
Give all tenderers equal opportunity.

2.3 Procurement Rules and Regulations

The Council is subject to regulations at a European, national and local level.

2.4 Procurement Standing Orders

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The Council has “rules” contained in the “Procurement Standing Orders relating to Contracts” which regulates all procurement across the Council.

The purpose of the Procurement Standing Orders is to ensure that competition and propriety is present in the tendering and award of contracts. The Procurement Standing Orders cover the thresholds, level of authority and procedures for enabling competition. They regulate the manner in which quotations and tenders are invited, evaluated and awarded.

The values detailed in the Procurement Standing Orders relating to Contracts are as follows:

Works	Goods and Services	Procedure
Below £20,000	Below £20,000	Officers will use their professional judgement in seeking quotations to ensure value for money	Quotations
Above £20,000 but below £60,000	Above £20,000 and below £60,000	A minimum of 3 written quotations are required to be obtained from suitably experienced suppliers	Quotations
Above £60,000 but below £3,497,313	Above £60,000 but below £139,893	A minimum of 3 written tenders are required to be obtained from suitably experienced suppliers	Tenders
Above £3,497,313 (EU threshold)*	Above £139,893 (EU threshold)*	Follow EU Procurement Procedure	Tenders

* The EU thresholds stated are for the two-year period 01.01.2008 to 31.12.2009.

2.5 Works Contracts

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Schemes over £60,000 (Tenders)

Tameside M.B.C. no longer maintains a Standing List of Approved Contractors and has chosen to use the Constructionline U.K. Register of Pre-Qualified Construction Services from which to obtain suitably qualified contractors and consultants to populate tender lists.

Contractors wishing to be considered for all future building work within the Council should register with Constructionline at:

Great West House
Great West Road
Brentford
Middlesex
TW8 9DF

Website: http://www.constructionline.co.uk/
Email: constructionline@capita.co.uk
Telephone number: 0870 240 0152

In addition the Authority prefers all contractors to be approved by the Contractors Health and Safety (CHAS) Assessment Scheme, and the necessary application forms and advice on how to apply can be obtained from: http://www.chas.gov.uk/

Alternatively contractors may submit Health & Safety accreditation from independent Bodies of Equal standing to the CHAS assessment scheme, including, but not limited to: -

Britannia “SAFEcontractor”
Exor Management Services
National House Building Council Safety Scheme
Achilles
Constructionline (via CHAS)

These are recognised by the HSE and are members of the Safety Schemes in Procurement Competence Forum.

If you need to seek competent (H&S) advice, please visit your local Business link where you get guidance on where to get the advice you need.

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1074455005

Contractors will also be required to submit the following tender qualification documentation:

The current public liability and employers liability insurances to substantiate that both policies adequately indemnify the Council against any claims against it in respect of the Contract. Proof of payment from the period of Contract will also be required.
Current CIS details
Up to date trading accounts for inspection by Tameside M.B.C. Treasury Management in order to establish the financial limits, which apply to the maximum value of work a contractor should be engaged in at any one time.

Schemes under £60,000 (Quotations)

Although Constructionline is not mandatory under the Council’s Standing Orders Relating to Procurement, it is viewed as being preferred.

Alternatively contractors may submit details of previous employers (references may be requested) and types of work undertaken.

If you require any further information visit our website at www.tameside.gov.uk or contact Alan Hamilton. (Details Above)

2.6 EU Procurement Procedure

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All local authorities and public sector bodies are subject to European Union (EU) Public Procurement Directives that govern how it may purchase goods, services and works over a specified value. These directives are included in UK law as a number of regulations.

Where the estimated contract value exceeds the EU threshold, a tender notice must be placed in the supplement to Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) to give all Suppliers in the EU an equal opportunity to tender.

There are different types of tendering procedures that can be adopted (i.e. Open, Restricted, Negotiated or Competitive Dialogue). Each procedure imposes minimum time-scales covering the tender activities to ensure that reasonable time to respond to adverts and prepare submissions is given to interest parties.

A notice of contract award must be placed in OJEU. Prior to contract award all interested parties will be advised of our intentions and a 10 day standstill period must be allowed for debrief and objection. Unsuccessful tenderers must be debriefed if requested.

2.7 Equalities

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Safeguards are built into relationships with contractors and service providers to ensure good practice as regards race, gender, disability, sexuality and age discrimination. The Council seeks to remove obstacles to conducting business and will ensure that there is an equal opportunity, for all suppliers who meet the stated criteria, to participate in bidding for requirements.

Diversity and equality will be reviewed throughout the procurement cycle from the identification of needs through to the monitoring of supplier performance/contract compliance.

Equality clauses have been built into tender documents: The Council strives to:

Encourage equality of opportunity for all suppliers in compliance with EU Directive, and in particular the Council’s Race Equality Scheme and Corporate Equality Plan.
Eliminate any conditions, procedures and behaviour that can lead to discrimination even where there was no intent to discriminate, with particular regard to race, gender, disability, sexuality, age religion and belief plus employment issues.

2.8 Contractor Health & Safety (CHAS)

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Various regulations impose responsibilities on employers to assess the health and safety competence of a contractor used by them to undertake work on their behalf. Local authority health & safety and contract professionals, supported by the Health and Safety Executive, have developed the Contractor Health and Safety (CHAS) Assessment Scheme. It is designed to protect the employer's staff and others affected by their undertakings. Employers also have a duty to monitor contractors to ensure they are working safely. For further information contact the Health & Safety Team on 0161 342 3728 or visit the CHAS website at: http://www.chas.gov.uk/

2.9 AGMA Procurement Group - formerly the Local Authority Purchasing Partnership (L.A.P.P.)

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Tameside M.B.C. is a member of the AGMA Procurement Group whose members consist of the Metropolitan Boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Trafford, Wigan, City of Salford, City of Manchester and the joint authorities for the Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue.

The Council actively supports the use of this and other consortia arrangements where such arrangements are advantageous to the Authority.

Tameside M.B.C. invites tenders for a number of contracts administered on behalf of AGMA Procurement Group and similarly other authorities undertake contracts on behalf of AGMA authorities, including Tameside M.B.C. A list of existing contract categories for all goods and services (including AGMA contracts) is available on the Council website at www.tameside.gov.uk/purchasing/continfo.html.

Suppliers may submit a tender for any single authority for any item(s); any group of authorities for any item(s); or all authorities for any item(s). It is not necessary to quote for the requirements of all authorities.

3. How To Find Out About Opportunities

3.1 Newspapers / Journals

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Potential suppliers are advised to regularly check local newspapers along with trade journals for advertisements placed by the Council for goods, works and services.

3.2 E-business Portal

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3.3 Official Journal of the European Union (O.J.E.U)

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Contracts over the EU threshold are advertised in OJEU. They are published in electronic format and may be accessed via an electronic on-line service entitled “Tenders Electronic Daily”.

The website address is: http://ted.europa.eu

3.4 Opportunities with Adult Services and Supported Housing

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See the Supporting People Knowledge Website : www.spkweb.org.uk

4. How to Tender for Council Contracts

4.1 Tender Documents

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When a supplier applies for a tender a set of tender documents will be issued and will consist of:

the Conditions of Contract and Tender of the Council
the nature and the purpose of the contract (specification)
the criteria for the contract award (with the relevant weightings)
the period of the contract
the price schedule upon which the tenderer submits the priced bid
details of tenderer and references
technical questionnaire (if applicable)
form of Tender
form of Agreement
covering letter to set out the correct address for returning the tender, the tender reference and the closing date and time for the receipt of tenders
return label detailing a) title of the tender, b) the date and time of the return
such other information as considered appropriate to ensure the Council achieves Best Value

The above is in relation to an “Open” tendering procedure. Where a “Restricted” tender procedure is used, a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) is issued to all companies expressing an interest, and is to be returned on or before the published date. The PQQ’s are evaluated against the stated selection criteria for tenderers, and the tender documents are then sent to the companies short-listed.

The Council is looking to proceed to entirely web-based transactions via e-tendering, however there are a number of legal and technological limitations that are currently being addressed.

The North West Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership has developed an e-business Portal called “The Chest” http://www.nwce.gov.uk/the-chest/default.php , where businesses can register on-line, identifying their business sector (indicating the main category via reference to a classification system) and express an interest in forthcoming tendering opportunities from any (or any combination) of the 47 Councils across the North West. By registering on the website, businesses will receive an e-mail alert, once a tender invitation has been published, that matches with the relevant business sector category.

In the near future suppliers will be able to access and download tenders documents electronically. Tenders can then be submitted/uploaded at any time prior to the closing date for the receipt of tenders. Reference to the electronic facility will be included on all public advertisements (including OJEU notices) quoting a unique reference number and the URL link to the relevant webpage.

4.2 Tender Evaluation

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All tender documents will specify the Award Criteria and the relevant weightings. Returned tenders will be evaluated against the pre-determined award criteria. Evaluation will focus on examining how the tender proposals deliver the service (quality) and the cost of the service (price). The Council will award the contract on the basis of “Best Value”. The definition of Best Value is “the purchase of all goods and services on the most advantageous terms and conditions having regards to value for money and including: price, quality, quantity, reliability, fitness for purpose, timeliness and reliability of the delivery, economy over time, reliable after sales service, environmental considerations and total cost to the authority.”

4.3 Contract Award

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Prior to contract award all interested parties will be advised of our intentions and a 10 day standstill period must be allowed for debrief and objection (This applies to contracts awarded through the OJEU process). If you are successful in your tender submission you will be notified in writing and may be requested to sign a “form of agreement” to signify acceptance of the contract award.

4.4 Debriefing

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Prior to contract award all interested parties will be advised of our intentions and a 10 day standstill period must be allowed for debrief and objection. (This applies to contracts awarded through the OJEU process). If you are un-successful you will also be notified in writing.

4.5 Contract Performance and Monitoring

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All accepted suppliers are monitored throughout the contract period against the pre-defined performance criteria stated in the tender documents. Contracts have to be performed in accordance with the requirements set out in the contract documentation.

The Council is continuously striving to improve its performance and it expects its suppliers to do the same.

5. Tameside Service Units

5.1 Performance and Change

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Overview
Performance and Change comprises of the following Service Units:

Corporate Performance – The Corporate Performance Unit is responsible for Performance Management and Improvement and Equalities.

Policy and Partnerships – The Policy and Partnerships Unit is responsible for consultation, research, partnerships and community strategy.

Scrutiny – Tameside has 4 scrutiny panels, Resources & Community Services; Personal & Health Services; Technical, Economic & Environmental Services and Lifelong Learning & Cultural Services. The main role is policy review, policy development and service improvement.

Contacts

Service Unit	Contact name	Telephone no.	Email
Corporate Performance	Sarah Dobson	0161 342 4417	Sarah Dobson
Policy and Partnerships	Emma Thompson	0161 342 3938	Emma Thompson
Scrutiny	Howard Boots	0161 342 3160	Howard Boots

5.2 Pension Fund

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Overview
The Greater Manchester Pension Fund is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme. The Fund's functions are divided into the following Service Units:

Pensions Office - This office administers the benefits payable to members and pays pensions to retired members, including giving specific advice on the rules of the Scheme. It also negotiates the terms of admission for new employers.

Property Investments - The property investments department invests in property by buying, selling and leasing property on a national scale. It also procures managing agents to manage property on its behalf.

Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund – This sub-fund creates property investments by developing mixed-use schemes from land that it acquires. It is administered by external agents and also has term appointed consultants to assist in property development.

Investments - The investments group supervises the appointment of three external fund managers and undertakes fund and private equity investment. The group also appoints and administers the Fund's third party custodian, and monitors equity performance.

Accountancy - The accountancy department is responsible for the financial administration of the Fund including calculating employer’s contributions. It also appoints the Fund's Bank and Actuary, and procures the insurance contracts for property owned by the Fund.

Contacts

Service Unit	Contact name	Telephone no.	Email
Pensions Office	Ged Dale	0161 301 2000	mail@gmpf.org.uk
Property Investments	Charles Lofstedt	0161 342 3741	Charles Lofstedt
Greater Manchester Property Venture Fund	Ray Grainger	0161 342 3435	Ray Grainger
Accountancy	Tracey Boyle	0161 342 2883	Tracey Boyle

5.3 Adult Services

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Overview
The procurement of Social Care Services and Supported Housing Services is carried out by the Joint Commissioning and Performance Management Team in Adult Services, Neighbourhood and Communities Directorate in accordance with Council procedures. Most services are purchased for specific service user groups although occasionally services for more than one particular group may be required e.g. provision of community equipment.

Any organisation wishing to provide social care services to the Council or wishing to be included on any Approved List, must be registered with the Care Quality Commission where this is required (currently applicable to residential & nursing home care and domiciliary care provision). Approved lists exist in relation to Residential and Nursing Home Care and Domiciliary Care. The lists are periodically reviewed and organisations wishing to be considered should contact the appropriate person detailed below.

Where contracts are put out to tender, adverts are normally placed in publications such as Community Care Magazine in addition to the Council’s website. OJEU adverts are done for most of the tenders undertaken now. Occasionally, invitations to tender may be restricted to organisations on whichever Approved List applies so it is important that those wishing to be considered take the necessary steps.

Listed below are the main service user groups and examples of services that are currently being procured from the private and voluntary sectors.

Services to Older People - Examples of services provided include: Residential and Nursing Home Care (via Approved List), Home Support (via Approved List), Day Services, Meal Provision, Care Support in Sheltered Housing [extra care housing], Review and Advocacy and a Handy Man Service.

Services to Adults 18-65 with a Physical Disability, Learning Disability or Mental Health Problems – Examples of services provided include: Residential and Nursing Care, Home and Community Support, Respite Care, Supported Accommodation, Extra Care Housing, Advocacy and Daytime Activities.

Supported Housing Services – for homeless people and other vulnerable people. Examples of services include temporary housing for homeless families, women’s refuges and sheltered housing for older people.

Contacts

Service Unit	Contact name	Telephone no.	Email
Services to Older People	Linsey Bell Planning and Commissioning Officer Denise Buckley Planning and Commissioning Officer	0161 366 4305 0161 366 4301	Linsey Bell Denise Buckley
Services to Adults 18-65 with a Physical Disability Learning Disability Supporting People Mental Health Mental Health Substance Misuse	Richard Scarborough Planning and Commissioning Officer Vacant Planning and Commissioning Officer Richard Scarborough Planning and Commissioning Officer Sue Hogan Planning and Commissioning Officer Francine Cooper Planning and Commissioning Officer	0161 366 4317 0161 366 4304 0161 366 4317 0161 366 4303	Richard Scarborough Richard Scarborough Francine Cooper
General Queries	Kim Greeves Planning, Commissioning and Contracts Assistant	0161 366 4315	Kim Greeves

5.4 Property Services

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Overview

Architects - this service comprises Architects, Quantity Surveyors, Building Surveyors and Electrical/Mechanical Engineers. A full design and procurement service is provided for educational and corporate properties owned by the Council on behalf of the in-house client.

New build, refurbishment and restoration contracts are procured and managed by the Architectural Service Unit (A.S.U.) from concept to completion.

Business opportunities exist from any contractor or supplier to the built environment (construction industry).

Estates and Valuation – this service comprises of Estates Management, Disposals & Acquisitions, Legal, Conveyancing and Terrier, IT/Geographical information system.

Facilities Management – this includes Town Halls & community buildings, Health & Safety/Risk Management, building maintenance & cleaning.

Markets – includes all the markets within Tameside.

Contacts

Work Area	Contact Name	Telephone	Email
Architects	J. Charlston	0161 342 2855	James Charlston
Building Surveying	Peter Wood	0161 342 3585	Peter Wood
Mechanical Engineering	J. Charlston	0161 342 2855	James Charlston
Asset Management	Andrew Voss	0161 342 2365	Andrew Voss
Estates Management, Disposals & Acquisitions	Paul Brown	0161 342 2245	Paul Brown
Legal, Conveyancing & Terrier	Lynda Kenyon	0161 342 3012	Lynda Kenyon
IT/Geographical information system	David Moat	0161 342 3723	David Moat
Town Halls & community buildings	Neil Berry	0161 342 3746	Neil Berry
Health & Safety/Risk Manager	Roy Holland	0161 342 2859	Roy Holland
Accommodations Manager	Roy Holland	0161 342 2859	Roy Holland
Markets	Ian Kelly	0161 342 3268	Ian Kelly

5.5 Technical Services (formerly Engineering and Environmental Health)

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Overview
The Engineering Service is principally concerned with the maintenance, management and improvement of the Borough’s highways, transportation and traffic issues, together with civil and structural engineering.

Engineering Operations - deals with the functions of highway maintenance and management, street lighting, winter gritting, highway drainage, the public utilities and the council’s transport service for vehicle maintenance. The Engineering Service Operations Division, the contracting arm of the Service Unit, undertakes highway construction and reactive maintenance work along with a wide range of civil engineering related projects for the authority and private clients.

Engineering Development - primarily responsible for the highways, traffic and transportation strategies, and for scheme development. The unit also deals with highway aspects of new developments, traffic management, road safety training, school crossing patrols, street parking and car parks.

Engineering Design - provides a highway, civil and structural engineering consultancy service, responsible for the detailed design, implementation and management of projects and major engineering contracts. The Unit is also responsible for bridges and highway structures maintenance.

Examples of work areas covered by the Engineering Service include highway improvements, traffic calming, town centre and environmental improvements, derelict land reclamation, canal restoration, demolition, bridge refurbishment, retaining walls and building structural works. Services and goods procured also include site investigation, traffic signs, road surfacing, road marking, minor building works, as well as the employment of civil, highway and structural engineering consultants.

Environmental Health provides services to both local businesses and residents in a number of areas:-

Trading Standards and Consumer Advice – provides a wide range of services to ensure fair and safe trading practices throughout the Borough.

Recycling and Operations - provides recycling and related services including the Council’s Blue (Waste Paper) Bin Scheme and recycling collections for glass, cans, plastics etc.

Environmental Protection - provides enforcement services to protect the Borough from all aspects of environmental pollution including noise and air pollution.

Environmental Safety and Hygiene - provides an inspection function to all the borough’s food premises and a large number of Tameside’s workplaces to ensure compliance with food, safety and health and safety legislation.

Licensing - is responsible for the licensing of a wide range of premises and people operating in the Tameside area including Hackney Carriages, Private Hire vehicles, night clubs, butchers shops etc. etc.

Refuse Collection - the provision of both domestic and commercial refuse collection services to residents and businesses across Tameside.

Cemeteries and Crematoria - the provision of eight cemeteries across Tameside and the crematorium at Dukinfield.

Contacts

Service Unit / Work Area	Contact Name	Telephone	Email
Design, Development and Maintenance areas	Roger Booth Engineering Design Manager	0161 342 3967	Roger Booth
Engineering Service Operations Division	Nigel Brooks Divisional Manger	0161 342 2475	Nigel Brooks
Environmental Enforcement and Operations	Ian Saxon	0161 342 3470	Ian Saxon

5.6 Cultural and Customer Services

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Overview
Cultural and Customer Services is a division on the Council’s Community Services Directorate. Within this division there are six distinct service areas.

Sports Services
Responsible for co-ordinating and providing a comprehensive network of sporting and physical activities for young people and having close partnerships with schools, clubs and community regeneration schemes. The unit also has the key role in supporting the Tameside Sports Trust who manages the Council’s stock of sports centres and swimming pools. In addition Sports Services is active in developing new facilities and improving existing sites often in partnership with local voluntary sports clubs.

Arts and Events
Responsible for the organizing and delivery of a programme of events part of which is working closely with the community. The events team work closely with Town Managers, Facility Management and Cultural Services. The unit also manages the Play House in Hyde Park and Play schemes throughout the borough. Tameside Hippodrome is currently managed by Clear Channel on behalf of Tameside; the unit manages the contract and supports new audience development with the theatre. The unit also manages Tourism.

Libraries
Responsible for providing the people of Tameside with access to a wide range of books for all levels of ability and interests, including large print, books in the main community languages and audio books. All libraries have computers for public use and provide opportunities for people to learn basic computer skills. The service also provides a Reference and Information Service, the Local Studies and Archives Centre, a Home Library Service and an Information Service to patients and their carers from Tameside Hospital. We also provide a range of activities and events for children, families and adults throughout the year and work with different partners to enhance the library offer.

All library books, audio formats and DVDs are currently purchased through the Greater Manchester Libraries Consortium. Library furniture and equipment is sourced from specialist library suppliers or through existing Council contracts. Contracts for bookbinding and the library service computerised management system are advertised as necessary.

Museums and Galleries
The Museums and Galleries Service, collects, documents, preserves, exhibits and interprets a wide range of material for all sections of the community. Primary facilities are the Portland Basin Museum, the Museum of the Manchester Regiment, the Astley Cheetham Art Gallery, Central Art Gallery, the Rutherford Gallery and the Setantii Museum. Services provided include talks, tours, educational materials, publications, reminiscence materials, class visits, object loans, exhibitions and school partnership programmes.

Countryside
Tameside Countryside Services manages the countryside across the borough for people and wildlife and works closely with adjoining authorities and other organisations including Natural England, the Environment Agency, United Utilities and the University of Manchester Archaeological Unit. The service provides information to visitors and the local community and runs a varied event programme. In addition the Countryside Rangers liaise with landowners, undertake conservation projects and provide an environmental educational service to schools and community groups.

Customer Services
Customer Service Centres are located throughout Tameside, one in each of the main towns. Customers can get help and advice on all Council services including specialist advice on Housing Benefit and Council Tax issues. The Council’s Call Centre handles contact by telephone, email and fax for a wide range of council services.

Contacts

Service Unit	Contact Name	Telephone	E-mail
Sports Services	Toby Wood	0161 603 5289	Toby Wood
Arts and Events	Leanne Feeley	0161 342 3385	Leanne Feeley
Museums/Galleries	Emma Varnum	0161 343 2878	Emma Varnum
Countryside	Carl Baron	0161 342 2320	Carl Baron
Libraries/Customer Services	Mandy Kinder	0161 342 2061	Mandy Kinder

5.7 Borough Treasurer

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Overview
The Borough Treasurer’s areas of responsibility are Accountancy and Treasury Management, Risk Management/Audit and Insurance, Exchequer and Support Services, ICT Services and Procurement.

Accountancy and Treasury Management - The Accountancy Sections are responsible for the financial administration of the Council. Treasury Management manage all monies of the Council ensuring that money is available to the Council to meet commitments. It also appoints the Council’s bank.

Risk Management/Audit & Insurance – The section provides an Internal Audit service to the Authority as required by various Acts and Regulations. Assisting in the effective management of a wide range of business risks and providing assurances as to the effectiveness of the internal control environment. For those risks which cannot be prevented, but which give rise to a potential liability, the section ensure cost effective insurance cover either through self-funding arrangements or externally underwritten through the Council’s insurers and provides support in defending claims against the Council. It also procures the Council’s insurers, claims handling and legal services.

Exchequer and Support Services - Exchequer and Support Services is split and managed into three areas:
Area 1 - Is responsible to deliver the following functions: Council Tax, Business Rates, Debtors, Creditors, Poll Tax and Former Tenant Arrears.
Area 2 - Is responsible to deliver the following functions: Benefits, Benefit Investigations, Cashiers and Payroll.
Area 3 - Is responsible for the Administration/Control of the Exchequer Services.

Procurement - Tameside Procurement is responsible for the coordination of Procurement arrangements, including the monitoring of Procurement initiatives and the performance of suppliers contracted to the Authority. It has responsibility for developing and overseeing the implementation of the Council’s Procurement and Commissioning Strategy.

All Service Units have access to the Framework Contracts arranged on their behalf by Tameside Procurement (commonly called a “call off arrangement”) covering common goods and services on which orders will be placed. Ordering of goods and services is decentralised to the Service Units who are directly responsible for their own activities. Since 2002 all orders placed by the authority has been via its on-line e-procurement system, which contains a “catalogue” of all contract items that are available for use by all service areas

A list of existing contract categories for goods and services is available on the Council website at http://www.tameside.gov.uk/procurement/contracts The list also provides contact details for each individual contract; for further information please contact the relevant procurement officer. The “Chest” e-business portal (http://www.nwce.gov.uk/the-chest/default.php ) will be developed to include, in addition to the list of current tendering opportunities, an archive of past tenders awarded (broken down by category).

IT Services – IT purchases, installs and supports all manner of computer equipment and software and has a customer base of over 3500 people. It is responsible for the councils ICT security and making sure that the systems and networks we operate are reliable, fast and regularly backed up. It is responsible for distribution and print services work. Many of the products and services that we require are of specialist nature and in the whole are procured via the tendering procedure.

Contacts

Service Unit	Contact Name	Telephone No.	Email
Accountancy	Ben Jay	0161 342 3864	Ben Jay
Treasury Management	Andrew Hall	0161 342 2985	Andrew Hall
Risk Management, Audit and Insurance	Wendy Poole	0161 342 3486	Wendy Poole
Exchequer and Support Services – Area 1	Paul Clarke Service Unit Manager	0161 342 2062	Paul Clarke
Exchequer and Support Services – Area 2	Linda Kemp Service Unit Manager	0161 342 3827	Linda Kemp
Exchequer and Support Services – Area 3	Michelle Neville Cooper	0161 342 2054	Michelle Neville Cooper
Procurement	Malcolm Whitwood	0161 342 4429	Malcolm Whitwood
IT Services – Development and Technical Services	Julie Hayes	0161 342 2213	Julie Hayes
IT Services – Strategic Solutions	Paul Rowson	0161 342 3600	Paul Rowson
Andy OBrien	Digital Tameside	0161 342 3548	Andy OBrien

5.8 Services for Children and Young People

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Overview
This sector of the Council is led by the Executive Director, Services for Children and Young People. A wide range of services is provided for children, young people and their families which are designed to promote their health and well-being, keep them safe, enable them to achieve their potential, and grow up making a positive contribution to their communities. The vision is to support children and young people so that Tameside continues to become a healthier and more prosperous place.

Services for the Children and Young People is organised with the following services managed by Assistant Executive Directors:

Area Support and Youth - including the Youth Service, the Youth Offending Team, Teenage Pregnancy services and the commissioning of other services for young people such as the Connexions service and services for young people needing help with substance misuse. Children’s Centres and other local services and information for children and their parents are managed here too.

Specialist Services and Safeguarding – including area social work teams, Adoption, Fostering, Children’s Homes, other services for Looked After Children and Safeguarding. Safeguarding includes supporting Tameside’s multi-agency Safeguarding Children Board dealing with allegations of abuse and working with other agencies on issues like domestic violence.

Achievement and Learning – including support to schools like school improvement officers, curriculum development, the school sports partnership, support to school Governors, the school library service, the education welfare service, educational psychology and behaviour support. The section also manages multi-agency services for children with disabilities and the Early Years Quality Team.

Commissioning and Resources – This section provides services across all areas for workforce development and training, supporting the multi-agency Children’s Trust and other partnerships, commissioning and contracting, school organisation, equalities, performance management, finance and accountancy support, administration, ICT systems and planning.

Capital Resources and Planning – includes the multi-million Building Schools for the Future programme and the Primary Capital Strategy as well as the general capital programme, asset management, emergency building issues, health and safety and facilities management contracts. Primary School Catering is also managed within this area of service.

Schools – suppliers looking to deal with schools may wish to contact them directly. A full list of Schools and Nurseries can be found on the appropriate Tameside website page on http://www.tameside.gov.uk/edugen/new/direct/schools.htm. Alternatively, the DCSF have a schools purchasing website where suppliers submit an electronic catalogue viewable by schools, for schools to choose from. More information can be found at www.dcsf.gov.uk/open .

Contacts

Service Unit / Work Area	Contact Name	Telephone No.	Email
ICT and Learning Services	Andy O’Brien	0161 342 3651	Andy O’Brien
Commissioning and Resources	Cheryl Eastwood	0161 342 4143	Cheryl Eastwood
Area Support and Youth	Claire Bibby	0161 342 3822	Claire Bibby
Achievement and Learning	Graham Ashford	0161 342 3243	Graham Ashford
Capital Resources and Planning	Elaine Todd	0161 342 3238	Elaine Todd
BSF Programme	Mark Harding	0161 342 4045
DCSF			Open Computer System www.dcsf.gov.uk/open

5.9 Marketing, Media and Communications

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Overview

Communications - provides the entire Council with telecommunications services.

Marketing and Media Management - The Marketing and Communications Unit is responsible for managing Tameside Council’s reputation and brand as well as developing communication outlets with residents, businesses, partner organisations and staff.

Contacts

Contact Name	Service Unit / Work Area	Telephone No.	Email
Nicola Smith	Communications	0161 342 3548	Nicola Smith
Alison Gilbody	Marketing and Media Management	0161 342 3061	Alison Gilbody

5.10 District Assemblies

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Overview
The District Assemblies were formed in May 1998 and comprise of eight area-based panels set up by Tameside M.B.C. to devolve some responsibility back to the local towns in the borough. In doing so, the Council is actually involving the community in the decision-making processes that affect their areas.

Each Assembly implements locally based programme areas, which are as follows:

Environment
Looking after and improvements to the street scene are a key element of the Assembly’s work. Each assembly is responsible for local parks, ground maintenance, street cleansing, road safety initiatives, and certain traffic calming schemes as well as carrying out road and pavement repairs and refurbishing. Within each Assembly’s work group is a Street Force Team which acts as a rapid response, multi skilled team responsible for cleaning grot spots, fly tipping and graffiti.

Community Safety
The local Assemblies work in conjunction with the Police, Community Safety Unit, Tameside Patrollers, Homewatch Groups, local residents and businesses to combat crime and to encourage safer communities. The Assembly have been successful in introducing a number of initiatives, in conjunction with other partners including Alley-gating schemes, CCTV and Retail Radio Link

Young People
The Assemblies work closely with local schools and young peoples clubs and organisations as well as the Youth Services to target and coordinate resources to areas of need. The Assemblies specifically look after and maintain all the Council’s children’s play equipment and commission new and replacement playgrounds.

Local Liaison
The Assemblies encourage involving more people in the local decision making process and ensure people are consulted on local issues.

A major role of the area teams is to manage support a wide range of local events such as Tameside in Bloom, Garden and Art Competition, Carnivals, Concerts and a variety of shows and events such as the Festive light ‘Switch-on’ in November and December.

Contacts

Unit	Contact Name	Telephone No.	Email
Denton & Audenshaw & Dukinfield	Nick Sayers	0161 342 2704	Nick Sayers
Ashton & Droylsden	Robert Wheeler	0161 342 2501	Amanda Upton
Hyde & Hattersley, Longdendale, Stalybridge & Mossley	Mike Round	0161 342 3725	Ann Shepstone
Parks and Land Management	Ian Cochrane	0161 342 3062	Ian Cochrane

5.11 Planning and Economic Development

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Overview

Planning and Building Control - is split into three service units, Building Control, Strategic Planning and Development Control.

Building Control is principally a service to ensure health and safety standards apply to building work, energy saving provisions are attained and premises are fully accessible for use, through the application of National Building Regulations.

Strategic Planning is responsible for the Local Development Framework, the Tameside Unitary Development Plan, Conservation, Listed Buildings, Regeneration, Trees and Woodlands, and Sustainable Development.

Development Control processes planning applications and handles enquiries as to the need for planning permission. The unit also deals with breaches of planning control.

Economic Development Unit (EDU) - forms part of the Economy and Environment Directorate. The EDU is not a large purchaser of goods or services, however has many contacts with the wider business community and with other organisations. The EDU undertakes both strategic work in partnership with business support and community organisations, for example facilitating partnerships as diverse as the Tameside Economic Forum to the Better Government for Older People steering group.

The Unit supports investment, development, business expansion and community development through involvement in a range of activities including Denton Town Centre Development, the Tameside Economic Development Zone, marketing the Borough for investment, promoting the development of employment sites such as Ashton Moss and St Petersfield and offering a comprehensive business relocation and advice service in partnership with other agencies and providing information on job opportunities on those sites to local people. The Unit maintains the Tameside Business Database and this year hopes to produce a Construction Handbook to promote building trades in Tameside.

The Unit also deals with resource procurement – accessing European and National funds to develop new ideas.

Business Opportunities
Though the EDU are not large direct purchasers of products or services, the team are ideally placed to network your business through their Business Outreach officers, events and through other media – for example features in our Business Briefing and Tameside Citizen newspaper or ‘e-news’. We can keep you informed on developments and new initiatives in the Borough. We can also link you to our partner organisations that may also be purchasers and with initiatives such as Supplywise at Chamber Business Enterprises

Useful Links to keep you up to date:

www.tameside.gov.uk/business
www.tamesidem60.com

Contacts

Work Area	Contact Name	Telephone No.	Email
Building Control	Paul Judge	0161 342 3219	Paul Judge
Strategic Planning	Neil Rodgers	0161 342 3136	Neil Rodgers
Development Control	Bob Tacey	0161 342 3128	Bob Tacey
Business Initiatives Manager	Lisa Hoyland	0161 342 3544	Lisa Hoyland
Community Economic Development Manager	Phil Spence	0161 342 2841	Phil Spence
Resource procurement	Russell Yates	0161 342 2741	Russell Yates
Selling direct to the EDU	Anne Heath	0161 342 3499	Anne Heath
EDU publications	Anne Heath	0161 342 3499	Anne Heath

6. Tameside Works First

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Help for hard-pressed traders and small businesses is at the heart of a £12 million crunch-busting package announced by Tameside Council called Tameside Works First.

The money will be used to increase spending across a range of projects and it is aimed at boosting the borough’s economy and safeguarding jobs. Tameside companies and contractors will be used wherever possible.

Want to find out more about how this scheme can help you? To register your interest please fill out our registration form at: http://public.tameside.gov.uk/forms/f1207tamesideworksfirst.asp or find further details at: http://www.tameside.gov.uk/worksfirst

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Procurement Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 4424/4431
0161 342 4432

Page last updated: 7 December 2009