The Council is looking to procure the services of an external organisation to develop, organise and run a time bank project for up to two years across three locations within the borough boundary of Reading.
At this stage the Council is carrying out a market sounding exercise to seek input from potential providers from either the voluntary or private sector before the Council formally advertises its requirements. Currently the Council anticipates commencing a formal procurement process to select a suitable provider during May 2012.
The aim of the service will be to provide a vehicle for community members to trade time and allow local people, including those most in need, to share their skills with one another in a well managed and inclusive way. The focus will be to help people identify the skills they can share with others, as well as the areas where they may need help from others, and exchange these skills in a safe manner.
The aim of the pilot is to test out approaches so as to inform future time bank development in Reading and the Council has identified eight geographical areas within Reading which have strong potential as time bank bases. It is anticipated that the Pilot Scheme will operate in three of these identified areas.
This notice is being published to gauge interest in this particular project, give potential providers the opportunity to share their views, on an informal basis, and help to assess the extent to which the Council’s objectives are achievable, prior to undertaking a formal tendering process.
For an informal discussion regarding this requirement please contact:
Gayle Buckley – Project Manager
or
Chris Bloomfield – Neighbourhood Regeneration Manager
Reading Borough Council
Chief Executives Department
Business Improvement Team
Level 6
Civic Offices
Reading RG1 7AE
Tel. No. 0118 9373953 or 0118 9372176
Any enquiries should be received before 12:00 hours on Friday 27 April 2012.
Further information regarding the proposed scope of the service is available on the South East Business Portal – see attachment below.
The Council will be looking to put in place a contract for the Time Bank Pilot Project by the end of December 2012.
If the Council decides to proceed with a formal procurement exercise a further advertisement will be placed inviting expressions of interest.
The Council does not commit to enter into a formal procurement exercise at this stage.