FAQ
FAQs section
The following questions were posed at our grants strategy consultation event which took place on the 2nd August 2010. Please use the comments function below to ask further questions you may have about the VCS funding strategy. We envisage to post a responses within 10 working days.
General proposals
Q - Will there be a certain budget for each area of the borough?
A - Not specifically as there is an uneven spread of voluntary groups across the borough but we will be aiming for some contracts to provide services across the borough e.g. advice
Q - Officers evaluating tenders may not know the groups and the value of the services they have been providing over the years.
A - Advice on this will be given in the training session
Q - An earlier tendering process was halted. Could this happen again as it created lots of work that wasted time for busy VS groups?
A - Lessons were learned from this process and the current process has been modified accordingly. We will endeavour not to cause any significant changes to the tendering process timetable we have given. However this process is dependent on the government’s spending review
Q - For many, this will be an organisation’s first experience of commissioning, so will need more support throughout the process.
A - Access to Information and training will be available to support all groups throughout the commissioning process. You will receive emails and written updates on these opportunities if you are a current funded organisation.
In addition, there will be regular updates for all groups on the CCICU pages
Q - Concern that groups will not be able to fully apply FCR as they will be under pressure to produce the lowest cost tender.
A - While we would encourage organisations to apply FCR, the tendering process is by nature a competitive one
Q - Can LBH really guarantee funding for a four-year contract?
A - It is the aim but is always dependent on the budget not being affected by further Council savings. Also, any contract would have break clauses with established notice periods.
Q - Will there be adequate consideration for smaller groups?
A -Within the commissioning themes there will be varying values of contracts.
Together with the commissioning process, we will be offering the Community Chest funding. We can also help smaller organisations to form consortium/partnerships, and undertake joint tenders.
Q - Groups would like another PQQ training session similar to that delivered at West Thames College.
A -A further training session has been arranged on 12 October 2010 at the Civic Centre Further details can be found in our ‘training courses’ section
Commissioning themes
Q - Would like clarity on what ‘building civic pride’ means?
A - Nearest equivalent defined within the grants process was’ Community Pride:’ Projects supporting local communities to participate more effectively in local activities and produce practical, social and economic benefits to the community.
Q - Would like to see specific categories for Families; Older people; Children; and Social regeneration projects within the commissioning themes.
A - Older people and children are included within the commissioning themes. Family is not currently a defined criteria and consideration will be given to suggested additions. There will also be a Community Chest Fund that will have a wide criteria.
Q - Will LBH be looking to fund a certain number of projects under each category? How will the budget be divided up?
A - Each category will have several contracts within it. It is envisaged that the available budget will be similar to the total budget of the Corporate Revenue Grants but until the draft Funding Strategy has been approved in October 2010, it is not possible to confirm this amount.
Please be aware that any questions relating directly to the current tenders for Voluntary Sector Services must by addressed directly to the Procurement team ; procurement@hounslow.gov.uk
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