A

ABI Area Based Initiative

ACAS Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service

ACDF Active Communities Development Fund

ACE Arts Council of England

ACEVO Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations

ACF Association of Charitable Foundations

ACIE Association of Charity Independent Examiners

ACRE Action with Communities in Rural England

ACTAF Association of Community Trusts and Foundations

ACU Active Community Unit (Home Office)

ACVO Assessment Centre for Voluntary Organisations

Added Value The principle which ensures EU funds do not merely substitute for existing funds

ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

AfA Action for Accreditation

AGM Annual General Meeting

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

ALI Adult Learning Inspectorate

ALM Action Learning for Managers

ALW Adult Learners' Week

AM Assembly Member (members of the Welsh Assembly)

ARVAC Association for Research in the Voluntary and Community Sector

B

BA Benefits Agency

bassac British Association of Settlements and Social Action Centres

BCD Black and Culturally Diverse

Best Value Government scheme to encourage local authorities to consult much more on the services they provide

BiTC Business in the Community

BME Black Minority Ethnic

BSL British Sign Language

BTCV British Trust for Conservation Volunteers

BTEG Black Training and Enterprise Group

BURA British Urban Regeneration Association

C

CAB Citizens Advice Bureau

CAF Charities Aid Foundation

Capacity Building Helping local organisations and individuals to develop their ability to deliver projects for target groups

CASE Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion

CBI Confederation of British Industry

CCETSW Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work

CCT Compulsory Competitive Tendering (see Best Value above)

CDF Community Development Foundation

CED Community Economic Development

CEDEC Community Education Development Centre

CEFET Central England Forum for European Training

CEFET Co-ordinating European Funding for the East Midlands Third Sector

CEMVO Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations

CEO Chief Executive Officer

CFN Community Foundation Network

CHC Community Health Council

CHImp Commission for Health Improvement

CIO Confederation of Indian Organisations

CLS Community Legal Service

ComBuilding Community Building Network

Compact Agreement between Voluntary Sector and Government

COSHH Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

COVER Community and Voluntary Forum for the Eastern Region

CPRE Council for the Protection of Rural England

CRB Criminal Records Burau

CRE Commission for Racial Equality

CSA Child Support Agency

CSC Community Sector Coalition

CSF Community Support Network

CSV Community Service Volunteers

CVS Council for Voluntary Service

CYC City of York Council

D

DCMS Department of Culture, Media and Sport

DCS Disability Conciliation Service

DDA Disability Discrimination Act

DES Department for Education and Skills

DETR Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions

DfEE Department for Education and Employment

DFG Disabled Facilities Grant

DIG Disablement Income Group

DLA Disability Living Allowance

DPO District Partnership Officer

DRC Disability Rights Commission

DSC Directory of Social Change

DTA Development Trusts Association

DSS Department of Social Security

DTI Department for Trade and Industry

DTLR Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions

DWA Disability Working Allowance

E

EAPN European Anti Poverty Network

EAZ Education Action Zone

EC European Commission (Civil Service of the European Union)

EIA European Information Association

EMU Economic and Monetary Union

EO Employers Organisation (formerly part of the Local Government Management Board)

EOC Equal Opportunities Commission

EMVSF East Midlands Voluntary Sector Forum (now called Engage East Midlands)

ERDF European Regional Development Fund

ES Employment Service

ESF European Social Fund

ESFVON European Social Fund Voluntary Organisations Northern

ESOL English for Speakers of Other Langages

ESV Employer Supported Volunteering

ETF Environmental Task Force (New Deal)

EU European Union

F

FAWN Funding Advice Workers Network

FCAS Federation of Charity Advice Services

FCWTG Federation of Community Work Training Groups

FE Further Education

FEFC Further Education Funding Council

FIAC Federation of Independent Advice Centres

G

GLA Greater London Authority

GNVQ General National Vocational Qualifications

GOR(s) Government Office(s) for the Region(s)

GSCC General Social Care Council

H

HA Housing Association

HAD Health Development Agency

HAZ Health Action Zone

HAD Health Development Agency

HE Higher Education

HimP Health Improvement Programme

HLC Healthy Living Centre

HLF Heritage Lottery Fund

HO Home Office

HRD Human Resource Development

HSE Health and Safety Executive

I

ICFM Institute of Charity Fundraising Managers Trust

ICT Information Communication Technology

IdeA Improvement and Development Agency (emerged from Local Government Management Board)

IiP Investors in People

ILA Individual Learning Account (UfI)

ILAF Independent Local Advisory Forum

ILP Independent Living Project

IPPR Institute for Public Policy Research

IS Industrial Society

ISBN International Standard Book Number

ISG Information Services Group

ISP Internet Service Provider

ITNet IT Workers Network

IYV International Year of Volunteers

J

JIP Joint Investment Plan

JRCT Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust

JRF Joseph Rowntree Foundation

L

LA Local Authority

LAP Local Action Plan

LDA Local Development Agency

LEA Local Education Authority

LEI Local Employment Initiative

LETS Local Exchange Trading Scheme

LGA Local Government Association

LGB Lesbian Gay Bisexual

LRD Labour Research Department

LRN London Regeneration Network

LSC Learning and Skills Council

LSP Local Strategic Partnership

LVSTC London Voluntary Sector Training Consortium

M

Match funding Public, voluntary or voluntary sector finance put forward as a contribution to eligible costs

MEP Member of European Parliament

MP Member of Parliament

MSF Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union

MSP Member of Scottish Parliament

MV Millennium Volunteers

N

NACAB National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

NACRO National Association for Care and Resettlement of Offenders

NACVS National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service

NAVB National Association of Volunteer Bureaux

NAVHO National Association of Voluntary Help Organisations

NAVO Networking Action with Voluntary Organisations

NCBV National Coalition for Black Volunteering

NCCA National Community Care Alliance

NCV National Centre for Volunteering

NCVCCO National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations

NCVO National Council for Voluntary Organisations

NDC New Deal for Communities

NDC National Disability Council

NDPB Non Departmental Public Bodies (Quangos)

NESTA National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts

New Deal - Government initiative which aims to help people who have been unemployed for six months

NFP Not for Profit

NGO Non Governmental Organisation

NHS National Health Service

NHSE National Health Service Executive

NIACE National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education

NICE National Institute for Clinical Effectiveness

NICEC National Institute for Carers and Educational Counselling

NICVA Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action

NISW National Institute for Social Work

NJC National Joint Council (local authority pay scales)

NLC National Lottery Commission (National Lottery regulator)

NLCB National Lottery Charities Board (Now the Community Fund)

NMEC New Millennium Experience Company

NNLP North Nottinghamshire Learning Partnership

NOCN National Open College Network

NOF New Opportunities Fund

NRC National Regionalisation Consortium

NRF Neighbourhood Renewal Fund

NSF National Service Framework

NTO National Training Organisation

NVQ National Vocational Qualifications

NYA National Youth Agency

O

OCN Open College Network

OWW One World Week

P

PALS Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service

PAS Personal Assistance Scheme

PAT Policy Action Team

PC Patients' Council

PCG Primary Care Group (Health)

PCIP Primary Care Investment Plans

PCT Primary Care Trust

PF Patients' Forum

PFI Private Finance Initiative (public/private sector partnership)

PPP Public Private Partnership (similar to PFI above)

PSC Priory Street Centre

PQASSO Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations

R

RAISE Regional Action and Involvement South East (RVSN)

RAWM Regional Action West Midlands (RVSN)

RCC Rural Community Council

RCO Refugee Community Organisations

RDA Regional Development Agency

RDA Rural Development Area

RDC Rural Development Commission

REC Racial Equality Council

RNIB Royal National Institute for the Blind

RNID Royal National Institute for the Deaf

ROTA Race on the Agenda

ROW Rights of Women

RSA Royal Society of Arts

RSI Repetitive Strain Injury

RSI Repetitive Strain Injury

RVSN Regional Voluntary Sector Network

S

SAVAGE Southern Association of Voluntary Action Groups for Europe

SAFF Service and Financial Framework

SCCD Standing Conference on Community Development

SCF Save the Children Fund

SCP Short Course Programme

SCP Sharing Credit Programme

SCVO Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

SCVS CVS Scotland

SDA Sex Discrimination Act

SEU Social Exclusion Unit

SING Sexuality Issues Network Group

SLA Service Level Agreement

SMART Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time related

SME Small and Medium Enterprise

SMP Statutory Maternity Pay

SORP Statement of Recommended Practice (relates to accountancy practice for charities)

SRB Single Regeneration Budget

SSD Social Services Department

SSP Statutory Sick Pay

SWF South West Forum

SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

T

TPAS Tenants Participation Advisory Service

TSO The Stationery Office (formerly HMSO)

TUC Trades Union Congress

U

UDC Urban Development Corporation

UfI University for Industry

UNISON The public service union

URL Uniform Resource Locator (for access to the internet)

V

VA Voluntary Action

VB/VBx Volunteer Bureau(x)

VDE Volunteer Development England

VOCOSE Voluntary, Community and Social Economy

VONEF Voluntary Organisations Network for European Funding

VOSCUR Voluntary Organisations Standing Conference on Urban Regeneration

VSNTO Voluntary Sector National Training Organisation

VSNW Voluntary Sector North West

VSO Voluntary Sector Option (New Deal)

VSO Voluntary Service Overseas

VYCAS Vale of York Community Accounting Service

W

WCVA Wales Council for Voluntary Action

WEA Workers Educational Association

WEETU Women’s Employment Enterprise and Training Unit

WEN Women's Environment Network

WRC Women's Resource Centre

WRVS Women’s Royal Voluntary Service

Y

YHRF Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Forum

YCVS York Council for Voluntary Serviceescription text goes here

Accountable Body

An organisation that is held accountable for the spending of a significant amount of public funds. Most local regeneration funds require an organisation to act as an accountable body. This is usually the local authority.

Active Community Unit (ACU)

Government unit in the Home Office that is involved in supporting the voluntary and community sector.

Baseline

A measurement that is taken at the start of an initiative, usually in statistical terms, e.g. number of people in a local area who are unemployed. The initiative can then be measured as to how effective it has been at impacting the baseline measure.

Benchmarking

A method used by organisations for comparing themselves (in terms of efficiency, effectiveness etc) to other organisations.

Best Value

A central government policy that seeks to get local authorities to continuously improve their performance.

Big Lottery Fund

The name of the new lottery money distributor. It is the result of merging the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund.

Capacity

All the resources available to an organisation, including people, money, equipment, expertise and information.

Capacity Building

Activities that aim to increase the capacity of voluntary and community organisations. It can include training, advice, specialist expertise.

Change Up

A new policy and funding initiative by the ACU designed to support the infrastructure of the voluntary and community sector.

Charity Commission

The body that regulates registered charities in England and Wales.

Children's fund

A central government fund designed to support projects that undertake work with children. CitizenshipThe central government policy designed to promote people becoming good citizens – being active in their local community through volunteering etc. Citizenship education is now compulsory for young people in secondary schools.

City Academy

A government initiative designed to promote new schools being developed through partnerships between central government, a local authority and a sponsor organisation (which could be a private sector company, voluntary sector organisation or faith group).

Civil Renewal

A government initiative to increase citizen’s participation in their local community and also their democratic engagement.

Civil Renewal Unit

Government Unit in the Home Office dedicated to supporting Civil Renewal initiatives.

Coalfields Regeneration

A series of funds designed to promote regeneration in former coalfields areas.

Community Chests

A fund aimed at providing small grants of up to £5000 to community groups in deprived areas.

Community Cohesion

Concern about community cohesion came out of the recent unrest in some of the Northern Cities such as Oldham. The aim of various community cohesion initiatives are to appreciate and celebrate diversity between people in local communities, promote understanding and reduce hostilities.

Community Development

The process of undertaking long-term work in a local community that leads to greater levels of sustainability.

Community Empowerment Fund (CEF)

A fund to help community and voluntary sector groups get involved in decisions about how public services are delivered in their area.

Community Empowerment Network (CEN)

A network of voluntary and community sector groups in each of the NRU’s 88 most deprived areas. This network should provide a channel through which the voluntary and community sector can feed into the Local Strategic Partnership.

Community Fund

A former lottery distributor fund that has now been merged into the Big Lottery Fund.

Community Interest Company (CIC)

A new company structure that is currently being proposed by the government, in which the company’s assets would be protected in the same way as with a charity, but without the red-tape of charity registration.

Community Learning Chest (CLC)

A fund aimed at providing small grants of up to £5000 to assist individuals or groups in accessing learning in order to be involved in regeneration activities. (Only available in the NRU’s 88 most deprived areas)

Community Network

Same as Community Empowerment Network (CEN) but not in one of the 88 most deprived areas.

Community Strategy

The plan that every local authority must draw up for improving the quality of life for local people. These plans must be the result of consultation with local residents, businesses and voluntary groups (including faith groups).

Compact

An agreement between a public sector body and the voluntary sector. Following the development of a national compact, local authorities, health authorities and other public sector agencies are developing local compacts stating how they will work in partnership with voluntary sector groups. The national compact that looks specifically at partnership with Black and Ethnic Minority Groups includes an Appendix on Faith Groups.

Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)

Treasury review of public sector spending across all Whitehall departments to plan expenditure over the next three years.

Connexions

Government Agency set up to offer young people information and guidance on learning and careers.

Core Costs

An organisation’s central costs including administration, rent and some staff salaries.

Core Funding

Funding needed to meet Core Costs.

Council for Voluntary Service (CVS)

Local umbrella body for voluntary organisations, including faith groups.

Education Action Zones (EAZ)

Local clusters of schools in deprived areas receiving special Government grants to work together to raise and maintain education standards.

Empowerment

The process of enabling people to take responsibility for themselves and helping them to make decisions about their lives.

English Heritage

Government agency that promotes and conserves England’s historic environment. Has funded the restoration and refurbishment of many churches and other religious buildings.

English Partnerships

The government’s land and regeneration agency, it was set up to encourage the development of derelict land.

Enterprise Zones

Designated zones in deprived areas where businesses can get certain exemptions to encourage them to locate themselves there.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

European funds that are targeted at specific disadvantaged regions.

European Social Fund (ESF)

European fund that is designed to support programmes aimed at promoting enterprise and employability, as a way of reducing social exclusion.

Evaluation

An assessment of a project or programme. This may include how money has been spent, how effective the programme has been at achieving its aims and what lessons need to be learned for the future.

Faith Communities Unit (FCU)

The Home Office Unit tasked with providing a point of contact between government and Britain’s faith communities.

Faith Schools

The designation given to schools with a religious ethos.

Floor Targets

Minimum standards set by the government for improvements in deprived areas, covering five areas: unemployment, crime, education, health and the environment.

Full Cost Recovery

The process by which voluntary groups delivering public services are expected to be able to cover all their costs (including a proportion of Core Costs).

Futurebuilders

A new £125m fund designed to assist voluntary sector groups (through a mix of grants and loans) who wish to deliver public services

Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR)

The justification that must be provided by religious organisations who wish to designate a specific post as being one which requires the post-holder to be drawn from the organisation's faith basis.

Government Offices in the Regions (GO)

An office of central government in each region with responsibility for applying/administering certain central government policies in the region.

Health Action Zone

Partnerships between the NHS, local authorities, community and voluntary sector groups aimed at tackling health inequalities.

Healthy Living Centre

A network of centres across the UK promoting health and healthy lifestyles in deprived areas.

Housing Association

Non profit landlords providing housing to people in housing need. Housing Associations registered with the Housing Corporation are given the official title – Registered Social Landlords (RSLs).

Inner Cities Religious Council

A forum of leading religious practitioners in faith-based work in the UK’s inner-cities convened by the ODPM. It acts as a faith advisory board for several of their key policy units.

Learning and Skills Council

The local agencies responsible for adult training in England.

Local Government Association

The organisation that represents local councils in England and Wales.

Local Strategic Partnership

Initiative in every local authority to develop partnership working between public agencies, voluntary groups and business and to more effectively deliver public services.

Match Funding

The process by which certain funders will only fund a percentage of the total costs of a project (e.g. 50%) and require the remainder to be matched with income from other funders or in-kind donations.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

National umbrella organisation representing the voluntary sector.

Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF)

Funding that is available in each of the governments designated 88 most deprived areas.

Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy (NRS)

The government’s overall plan for regenerating disadvantaged areas.

Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (NRU)

Government unit based in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister tasked with implementing the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.

New Deal for Communities (NDC)

An initiative designed to provide intensive financial support (£50m over 10 years) to regenerate relatively small geographic areas.

New Opportunities Fund (NOF)

A former lottery distributor fund that has now been merged into the Big Lottery Fund.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)

The government department responsible for the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, Inner Cities Religious Council, Local Government and a range of regeneration initiatives

Primary Care Trust (PCT)

These are local health bodies that are responsible for providing primary and community health services.

Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

Government initiative to develop large capital projects initially financed by the private sector and then leased back to the public sector.

Procurement

The process by which public sector bodies purchase services from both private and voluntary sector organisations. Central Government is increasingly interested in local authorities and other agencies procuring services delivered by voluntary organisations (including faith groups) instead of delivering those services directly.

Prosletysm

The secular term that is sometimes used to describe the evangelistic work of religious organisations.

Public Service Delivery

Where a voluntary or private sector organisation delivers a service that is paid for by a public sector body.

Quango

Acronym for ‘Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation’. These are part of central government but operate at arm’s length from it. Examples include the Housing Corporation, Audit Commission etc.

Quick Wins

A term used by various government departments to refer to relatively cheap and easy initiatives that have a significant impact.

Regeneration

The process of improving disadvantaged or hard pressed areas.

Regional Assembly/Chamber

A regional body in each of the 8 English regions (except London) which scrutinises the work of the Regional Development Agency. In London, this is done by the Greater London Authority.

Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)

The agency within each of the 9 English regions, Scotland and Wales that promotes economic growth and regeneration.

Regional Voluntary Sector Networks (RVSNs)

Regional forums for the voluntary sector, where they can receive advice and support.

Regions

The 9 regional areas that England is divided into: South West, South East, London, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Ring Fencing

The process by which money within a larger fund is kept aside for a specific purpose.

Single Pot

The regeneration funds that have now been placed into a single pot under the direction of Regional Development Agencies.

Single Regeneration Budget

A regeneration fund which has now been merged into the Single Pot that provided specific communities with multi-year regeneration funds.

Small Business Service

The government agency responsible for support small and medium enterprises in the UK. It is part of the Department for Trade and Industry and oversees the network of Business Links across the UK.

Social Capital

A concept that refers to relationships of trust between people from within one particular social group and between people from different social groups in a particular area.

Social Enterprise Unit (SEnU)

The Government Unit (now part of the Small Business Service) that supports social enterprise

Social Entrepreneurs

Individuals who are instrumental in setting up or running social enterprises

Social Exclusion

The term used to describe people or areas that suffer from multiple disadvantage, e.g. in areas of unemployment, high crime, low incomes and poor housing.

Social Exclusion Unit (SEU)

The government unit with the ODPM set up to tackle social exclusion.

Social Regeneration

The term that differentiates social aspects of regeneration such as from economic dimensions of regeneration.

Stakeholders

People who have an interest in an organisation or process including users, customers, partners, employees, residents, owners, government and regulators.

Statutory Authority/Agency

An organisation that is set up by law (statute) and is publicly funded, e.g. local authorities and health authorities.

Statutory Services

Services that a public sector body is required by law to deliver/provide.

Sure Start

An initiative that aims to improve children’s life opportunities by funding projects that work with parents and parents-to-be in deprived areas.

Sustainability

The process whereby an organisation moves from short term funding for their activities to more dependable funding.

Sustainable Communities Plan

The ODPM’s plan for developing urban areas in the UK that people will want to live in.

Sustainable development

A process of development that allows economic growth without damaging the environment or natural resources.

Voluntary and Community Infrastructure

The support structures in place at a local, regional and national level for voluntary and community organisations. This support is often provided by umbrella groups.

Voluntary and Community Sector

The name used to describe organisations that are neither public or private sector. Voluntary organisations are typically larger and unlike community organisations may not be rooted in one individual local community.

White Paper

Statement of policy issued by government. White papers often form the basis of new legislation, and are usually preceded by a consultative green paper.

Youth Service

Youth work/youth centres etc run by statutory agencies such as the local authority.

Approved Supplier List

A list of firms that have successfully completed an assessment process, and are available to be invited to tender for local authority business.

BACS

Bankers Automated Clearing Service. An electronic method used by Councils to pay supplier invoices. The amount due to a supplier is transferred electronically from the Council’s bank account to the supplier’s bank account.

Collaborative Purchasing

Where a Council works with other Councils to jointly purchase goods or services

Competitive Dialogue Procedure

This is a procedure in which a supplier, contractor or service provider may request to participate and whereby the authority conducts a dialogue with the candidates admitted to the procedure, with the aim of developing one or more suitable alternatives capable of meeting its requirements, and on the basis of which the candidates chosen are invited to tender.

Consortium Purchasing

See Collaborative Purchasing

Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)

The Audit Commission assesses the performance of councils and the services that they provide for local people, the results of which help councils to focus on improvement.

Corporate Contracts

A formal agreement with a supplier that is used by all departments and services in the Council for the purchase of particular goods or services. This agreement will be either a:

• Tendered contract with agreed terms and conditions, set pricing structures for specified goods and services. This agreement will have a set period of validity before re-tendering is required.

• Framework Agreement (in compliance with EU Procurement Directives) – where terms and conditions have been agreed, but a number of suppliers have been appointed to provide a range of goods or services. The selection of an individual supplier for specific goods or services will then be subject to a mini-competition through a quotation process before agreeing which supplier will be used.

Dynamic Purchasing System

A dynamic purchasing system is a new electronic way for authorities to purchase commonly used goods, works or services. It has a limited duration.

Efficiency savings

Time and money saved in the procurement process through the automation of tasks.

E-auction

Electronic auctions (or reverse electronic auctions as they are sometimes called) are on-line auctions where selected bidders submit offers electronically against the purchaser’s specification. All communication following and including the invitation to pre-qualified bidders to submit new prices and/or values must be electronic. This can be used for goods/works and services. Other quality aspects are assessed prior to the auction stage.

E.I.C.

European Information Centre - provides up-to-date information on European Directives and Regulations, public sector contract opportunities, business opportunities, funding and research and development initiatives.

e-Marketplace

An internet based facility that enables trade between one or more purchasing organisations and a variety of suppliers.

e-Procurement

A range of technologies that allows procurement to occur electronically such as;

• e-marketplace

• e-auction

• e-tenders

e-Procurement website

The area of the Council’s website used for issues relating to the purchase of goods and services. It includes advice to suppliers on how to sell to the Council, relevant polices, tender procedures and details of tenders that are currently open to suppliers.

e -tenders

An electronic tendering solution facilitates the complete tendering process from the advertising of the requirement through to the placing of the contract. This includes the exchange of all relevant documents in electronic format.

EU Procurement Directives

A public sector contracts within the European Union, no matter what their value, are covered by a treaty which incorporates the free movement of goods and services between member nations and which prevents discrimination against firms on the grounds of nationality. All procurements above certain financial thresholds (these are changed annually) for goods and certain services must follow prescribed procedures.

Framework agreement/contracts

The agreement between the Council and a supplier. The Council purchases against this contract as and when goods and services are required.

Government Purchase Cards

Payment card scheme (like a credit card) operated by Visa which can be used by the whole public sector.

OJEU

Official Journal of the European Union. A daily publication, listing all European contracts over the E.U. procurement value thresholds.

Implementing Electronic Government (IEG)

The implementing electronic government (IEG) statement is a corporate plan, which outlines how a council intends to improve service delivery through e-government. It monitors the progress of all councils in meeting the target for services to be available online.

Open Tenders

Scheme for which any firm can tender.

Pre-qualification questionnaire

Pre-qualification involves the vetting of suppliers by purchasers to identify those able to meet a required standard. The vetting is usually undertaken prior to tenders and leads to the suppliers being invited to tender. The inclusion of environmental (and social) criteria in the vetting process is an important way in which sustainable procurement can be implemented. The vetting process can consider both whole company policies and procedures and the qualities associated with particular products (for example the award of particular eco-labels).

Purchase-to-pay cycle

The steps the Council goes through when they raise a purchase requisition, place an order, receive goods or services and make payments to suppliers.

Procurement process

The activities involved in the selection of suppliers and the purchase of goods or services.

Purchasing Cards

Procurement cards are charge cards which work in a similar way to credit cards and can be used to procurement goods or services. They can be treated like traditional charge cards and can be open to use with any suppliers or they can have controls placed upon them by the employer, limiting them to use with only certain commodities or certain suppliers

Procurement Strategy

The procurement strategy describes the contribution that effective procurement will make to fulfil the Council’s aims and objectives. The definition of procurement in this context is not only limited to purchasing – it can have a wider meaning and can address the ways in which the Council can deliver its services – from providing the service in-house to joint commissioning and outsourcing.

Regional collaboration

Joint working between the Council and other Councils or organisations.Joint working between the Council and other Councils or organisations.

Restricted Tender

Scheme where interested firms are required to go through an assessment process prior to being invited to tender.

SME

Small to Medium Enterprise

SME Concordat

This Good Practice Guide supports the Small Business (SME) Friendly Concordat (Statement of Principles), which has been prepared for Local Authorities in support of the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government.

The Guide provides examples of good practice and explains how Local Authorities can frame and deliver their procurement strategies in accordance with the principles of the Concordat in ways that suit their local circumstances.

Standing Orders

Procurement activities must comply with the Councils’ own Contract Procedure Rules contained in their Standing Orders. These Standing Orders regulate how a Council conducts business and employees must conform to them. The procedures for advertising, evaluating and letting the contracts are laid down here.