Local Supplier Support Project for Kensington and Chelsea 2019 - 2021

Descriptions

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea piloted a successful Local Supplier Initiative over the past 15 months, which it would like to take forward based on the success to date and taking into consideration the lessons learned during the journey so far. The Local Supplier Support Project will aim to engage and support local small and medium size enterprises and facilitate their access to new business opportunities, including on major local developments and through key council contracts to maximise local social and economic value. The project will play an important role in delivering key objectives of Our Plan for Successful Local Economy and will support actions within its three main themes of employment and skills, business and enterprise and planning and investment (check these are as per the published strategy). The contractor will be expected to: 1)assist SMEs to access and compete for contracts to supply goods and services on local developments: oidentify local businesses in suitable sectors oprovide information and support to businesses to become "tender ready" oengage with buyers and link businesses up with opportunities 2)engage and support local SMEs through customised 1:1 sessions and business events to become involved in supplying goods and services to new buyers, including local developers, their supply chains and council procurement; this should include both construction and wider opportunities; 3)develop relationships with buyers and their commercial teams to secure opportunities for the local supply chain and to provide customised support for local SMEs, including mentoring, networking, accreditation and due diligence advice, etc.; 4)implement and monitor delivery against the Council's section 106 Supplementary Planning Document to secure supply chain opportunities arising from development sites across the borough; ensure continuous evaluation and improvement of dlivery; 5)engage local architectural practices and other relevant professional services and explore creative ways to open up new opportunities. These could include the early stages of development planning, specialist panels, frameworks, etc.; 6)maximise local opportunities by developing partnerships (and using economies of scale) across borough boundaries where relevant and with key London-wide initiatives such as GLA Business Growth Hub, CompeteFor, etc.; 7)establish an effective system to broker a meaningful dialogue between local SMEs and buyers (developers, their supply chain and council contract managers) to increase local SMEs' chances of being considered for tenders and successful contract awards; 8)put in place a marketing and communications plan to promote the programme and promote the SMEs who sign up for the programme; and 9)ensure that all businesses are also included in the RBKC Business Guide online 'Go Local' listings guide which is under development;