UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Consultancy Services for VCSE Mapping and Community Engagement

Thanet District Council has been allocated 1.15 million pounds of government funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, UKSPF. This fund forms part of the wider Levelling Up agenda and is intended to reduce inequalities between communities.

The aim of the funding is to build a sense of community, restore local pride and increase life chances for Thanets residents. It focuses on three priorities:

Community and Place

Supporting Local Businesses

People and Skills

A plan has been developed, setting out how the funding will be used. This was required to adhere to the governments set criteria and has since been approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. It outlines an approach for project delivery and engagement with key groups within the voluntary and community sector.

Thanet District Council is seeking to commission specialist engagement consultancy services to undertake VCSE Mapping and Community Engagement and invites prospective suppliers to submit a quotation to meet the Employers requirements. This work will build upon the community and stakeholder engagement that took place in the development of the UKSPF Investment Plan for Thanet. The Council is looking for a company that is comfortable engaging with all Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise, VCSE stakeholders who serve the Thanet community.

The Contract is anticipated to commence upon July 2023 for a duration of 9 weeks, with a 2 week extension if required (at the sole discretion of the Council), unless terminated in accordance with the Conditions of the Contract.

Important Information. All procurement documents are attached to the notice and available for suppliers to download from the Kent Business Portal at www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk and complete according to instructions contained.

The procurement process will be undertaken on the basis of formal quotations. Evaluation will be on the basis of criteria and methodology as set out in the Invitation to Quote document.

Any clarifications or questions must be submitted via the Message area of the Kent Business Portal by no later than 14.00hrs on 11 July 2023.

Completed quotation documents must be submitted electronically via the Kent Business Portal by no later than 14.00hrs on 18 July 2023.