The community right to challenge will allow -
- voluntary and community groups
- charities
- parish councils
- local authority staff
to bid to run a local authority service where they believe they can do so differently and better. This may be a whole service or part of a service.
Organisations can exercise the right to challenge. They will need to submit a written expression of interest. We will have to consider and respond to expressions of interest. If accepted, this will trigger a procurement exercise for that service. The challenging body can then take part, alongside others. More information is available on Communities and Local Government website.
When we have a valid expression of interest, we need to take on a procurement exercise for that service. This may lead to the authority awarding a contract for the provision of that service.
We make a decision on your expression based on the information that we ask in this form. The decision is made under with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011. We will acknowledge receipt within 10 working days.
We may -
- accept an expression of interest
- accept it with modifications
- reject it
Potential reasons for rejection are listed below -
- if the expression of interest does not meet the requirements of the service. Or if it is outside the regulations that the council must follow
- if the information presented is inaccurate or is inadequate to be fully considered
- the organisation submitting the expression of interest is not suitable to provide the service
- the expression of interest relates to a service -
- where a decision has been made to stop providing that service
- which falls outside of the Localism Act 2011 because it is an exempt service
- which is already the subject of a procurement exercise
- for which negotiations are underway
- the expression of interest is frivolous or vexatious
- acceptance of the expression of interest is likely to lead to a breach of the law, or statutory duty
We recognise the valuable role that voluntary and community organisations have to play in delivery of local services. We are committed to working with such services.
Local authorities can choose certain times of year when expressions of interest can be submitted. We have agreed that expressions of interest may be submitted from 1 August to 31 August each year.
We will acknowledge receipt of the Expression of Interest. This will notify the applicant of the timescales. Within the timescale we will make our decision by 30 October each year.