A new community benefit service has been launched for companies hoping to win public sector contracts in Scotland.
The service connects businesses looking to provide community benefit with community groups and projects that need their help. It aims to help improve community benefit outcomes and at the same time help suppliers add value to their bids by identifying and providing innovative and compelling community benefit solutions.
It’s not always easy for contractors to work out what community benefits their businesses can offer, what the procurer is looking for or even who the community is that they are supposed to be offering a benefit to. This service is aimed at changing that and its founders hope to improve community benefit outcomes all over Scotland, as well as helping suppliers submit more successful bids.
Sarah, who counts Ruth Davidson as one of her clients, and co-founded the world’s first public affairs service for community groups and grassroots campaigners said:
“COMMUNITY BENEFIT LEGISLATION PROVIDES A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR BUSINESSES WHO ARE AWARDED PUBLIC SECTOR CONTRACTS TO DO MORE THAN JUST MAKE MONEY OFF THEM. Done successfully Community Benefits can be a win-win for everyone involved and by offering something back to the communities in which their products and services are being delivered companies can create social as well as economic value and boost their relationships with their clients, staff and customers.
MOST BUSINESS OWNERS ARE ONLY TOO HAPPY TO HELP COMMUNITY GROUPS BUT THEY OFTEN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO WORK OUT THE BEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO FOCUS THEIR RESOURCES. IT’S ALSO A REALLY EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR CHARITIES, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISES TO CONNECT WITH BUSINESSES WHO CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO THEM”
Alan, who advised the Scottish Government and Local Authorities on the drafting of Community Benefit Best Practice and Policy documents and has worked extensively with private sector, social enterprises and public sector authorities throughout Scotland, said:
“If you take the time and undertake proper research on Community Benefits, it can be make the difference between winning and losing a contract. Many companies think they can just insert their CSR policy or talk in general terms when they are completing the Community Benefits section but that won’t win them the business. A really good Community Benefit offer needs to be aligned with both the supplier’s needs and the aspirations of the client. To be really successful contractors need to undertake research and understand local needs, the client’s objectives and the socio-economic environment. It’s also important to have a robust system in place for the monitoring and reporting of Community Benefits.
“The public sector has a real opportunity to generate significant additional benefits for their communities through the use of Community Benefit clauses but not enough action has been taken since this legislation was introduced over a year ago. Procurers are going to be asked to report to the Scottish Government from March 2018 so now is the time to do something about it. We are hugely excited about creating some really exciting and innovative ideas and can’t wait to help Scotland’s public sector lead the world in terms of public sector reform. ….”
The public sector in Scotland procures almost £11 billion worth of goods annually and Community Benefits are becoming increasingly important in deciding the difference between a winning and loosing bid.
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