Competing Providers for School Support and Business Development

This exercise challenged the principle that local authorities would be the sole supplier of services for schools, and introduced competition from external providers. The changes raised a number of issues concerning the ability of the commercial sector to be able to provide services to over 500 schools in a large rural area at competitive prices.

The principle of tendering for alternative providers using output specifications has an element of risk but reinforces the principle of best value and ensures in-house providers are equipped to compete in a competitive marketplace. Schools have responded positively and are procuring better with more productive use of time.

Outcomes

This project has already seen the following oucomes and outputs:

• In-house service efficiency and productivity has increased
  
  
• Schools enjoy better procurement processes, comply with EU procurement rules, and teachers' time is more productive
  
  
• Improved relationships between in-house services, and between the local authority and schools
  
  
• Schools will save money
  
  
• Schools want more of this. They welcome real choice and the option to procure based on the basis of best value

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