A number of schools have contacted Contract Advice and Management Services recently (one of the traded services provided by the Education Client Unit) asking for clarification on a point which we would like all schools to be aware of. Legal advice has been sought and the following statements confirmed.
If you have been approached by any organisation offering to provide (any) services to the school and requesting that you sign a document or make any formal commitment to that organisation you need to be aware that this could be a legally binding contract.
When entering into any arrangement for services yourselves you must have regard to both the Bristol City Council Financial Regulations for Schools with Delegated Budgets (Section 7, Purchasing and Contracts) and the European Procurement Regulations.
For schools signed up to the Fair Funding Scheme advice on contracts is included within the scheme and will be provided at no further cost to the schools.
Contact:
Sheelagh Dawson, Solicitor - Contracts
tel: 0117 92 22347
Or
Tim Scullard, Education Client Unit Manager
tel: 0117 90 37670