Tameside Works First Frequently Asked Questions
Support for Local Businesses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Tameside Works First”?
“Tameside Works First” is a major programme of work from the Council designed to help small to medium size businesses through the current recession. £10.5 million of Council funding is being directed into a series of projects over the next 12 months.
We know that cash flow can be a problem for businesses so we are putting more money into speeding up the payment of invoices to within 10 days. We are also helping local companies by providing advice on business support and business rates relief, as well as interest free energy loans. With this programme Tameside Council is helping smaller companies to remain in a strong position for when the economic recovery begins.
We also want more high quality local companies to apply to join the Council’s standing lists of contractors for repeat work and we will help them with this. High quality work will be expected and so our approach is designed to help support good companies and protect local residents from rogue traders.
We’re especially interested in companies providing high quality services that haven’t worked with the Council before.
Who qualifies for “Tameside Works First”?
Tameside Council wants to make the borough more prosperous, and we therefore want to hear from local companies who can work with us to help prevent or reduce unemployment and improve the level of skills across Tameside.
How do I get involved in “Tameside Works First”?
There are two ways to apply to Tameside Works First – online or on paper.
- To complete the application online and upload any necessary evidence (see below) from your PC, go to www.tameside.gov.uk/worksfirst and click on the link to the application form. We will then take up your references and when all the required information has been received, we’ll forward your company’s details to the Project Managers responsible for allocating work.
- To complete a paper application you need to register your interest with “Tameside Works First” by calling 0161 342 4254 or 0161 342 2174. You will then be sent an Application Pack explaining what you need to do to apply. You will be contacted within 10 working days of registration.
We’ve cut down on the information we need from you to make it easier to do business with the Council. For more details, see below.
Should you find any part of the application process difficult to understand, Council staff will be on call to assist on 0161 342 2058.
What information will I need to provide?
We have kept the information we require to the absolute minimum. With your application we will need you to send in the following information:
- Contact details for two customer references
- Summary of the steps you take to keep employees healthy and safe at work
- Summary of your company’s approach to Equal Opportunities
- Copy of your Public Liability insurance details, showing the amount you're covered for
- Copy of your Employers Liability insurance details, showing the amount you're covered for
If you don’t have a formal Health & Safety or Equal Opportunities policy we have provided examples of health safety or equal opportunities policies 35.97 KB 
, which you’re welcome to download and adapt to your own company. Please note, however, that the Council and the Health & Safety Executive will expect you to follow any policy that you submit as part of Tameside Works First.
Insurance Details
The Council’s minimum insurance requirements for all contracts are as follows:
- Public/Third Party liability: £5m for any one incident, unlimited in any one year
- Employer’s Liability: £5m, unless a higher level is advised for a specific contract
- Professional Indemnity: £500,000 to £2m, depending on risk assessment
If you do not have cover at these levels at the moment, please call 0161 342 4254 or 0161 342 2174.
How long does the approval process take?
How long it takes for the paperwork to be done generally depends on how quickly your customer references and other information takes to arrive.
We tend to find that all other checks can usually be made whilst we’re waiting for referees.
To trace the progress of your application please call 0161 342 4254 or 0161 342 2174.
Will I get feedback on my application?
You will receive a letter to confirm that your application has been received. If we have any queries about the information you have sent in, or if something is missing, we will contact you by phone or email to let you know.
What happens when my application is complete?
When all of your paperwork and customer references have been received, we will send you a letter to let you know that you are included in the list of Tameside Works First contractors. This list is available to Council managers on our internal staff portal, and an online version is available at www.tameside.gov.uk/worksfirst.
When Project Managers have some work coming up, they consult the list to see which companies have the right skills for the job, and contact them to invite them to put in a quote for the work. If your quote isn't successful you will receive feedback from the Project Manager, to help improve your chances of success next time.
How do I get further information?
You can do this online at The Tameside Works First Website
Alternatively you can call the Tameside Works First helpline on 0161 342 3000.
Buy With Confidence Scheme
What is the Buy With Confidence Scheme?
The Buy With Confidence scheme is a national scheme which is supported by Tameside Council. It has been set up to make sure people in Tameside get a better quality of service from local traders and protects them from rogue traders.
As part of the “Tameside Works First” programme we would like to work with companies to encourage them to join the scheme and secure local quality accreditation. Joining is not compulsory or a requirement of the “Tameside Works First” programme, however those companies securing repeat work from the Council will find the application process straightforward and will, if accepted, be able to display the “Buy with Confidence” quality logo.
For further details of the scheme contact the Buy With Confidence team on 0161 342 3671 or send a message to Trading Standards.
Support For Businesses
Tameside Business Family
The Tameside Business Family is an exciting local initiative to support existing and new start-up businesses through the downturn in the economy, encouraging them to access advice, help and support from experienced business people.
- Free access to potential grant funding.
- Free marketing ideas and advice.
- Free help to look at cutting costs, reducing overheads.
- Free mentoring support.
- Free premises and location searches.
- Free employment and recruitment advice.
- Free networking groups to share ideas.
- Free IT and Internet advice.
- Free local regeneration updates.
The Tameside Business Family is running a series of focused workshops and seminars dedicated to supporting local businesses through the recession, starting with the Beat the Recession event on 26 February at Dukinfield Town Hall.
You can get in touch with the Business Family on 0161 342 2058, info@tamesidebusinessfamily.com or www.tamesidebusinessfamily.com 
The Tameside Business Family is working closely with regional partners...
Business Link North West
Business Link North West is able to offer businesses a universal advice service open to all:
Available 8.00am to 8.00pm weekdays and 8.00am to 2.00pm at weekends.
- Easily accessible via telephone, email and a comprehensive website.
- Access to Finance – enhanced brokerage service for organisations needing business finance.
- Environmental Connect – assisting commercial success through environmental good practice.
- Free business Health Checks.
You can contact Business Link North West either by referral through the Business Family or direct on 0845 00 66 88, info@businesslinknw.co.uk or www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest
Train To Gain Service
- Offers impartial advice, identifies training needs and sources appropriate training provision.
- Identifies funding to support some training activities.
- Training programmes are flexible, responsive and offered at a time and place to suit business.
- Looks at sourcing the best value solutions for employers.
You can contact Train To Gain services on 0845 602 0062 – please note this number will change on 01/04/09 to Universal services number 0845 00 66 88 – or by email at information@traintogainnw.org.
Business Rate Relief
In certain circumstances small businesses may be entitled to a reduction of up to 50 per cent on their annual business rate bill providing they can meet qualifying criteria.
If you are responsible for a single small business in Tameside - and currently do not receive this relief – telephone 0161 342 2045 or visit: www.tameside.gov.uk/business/rates/relief/smallbusiness
Public sector contracts in Greater Manchester
Contracts with public sector organisations are publicised in a number of places on the Internet, including:
- Tameside Council contracts: www.tameside.gov.uk/purchasing
- ‘The Chest’ – e-business portal for Council contracts in the North West: http://www.nwce.gov.uk/the-chest/default.php
- UK public sector contracts below £100,000: www.supply2.gov.uk
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
 Send us a Message |
 Tameside Works First Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne OL6 6DL |
 0161 342 3000
|
|
