Wandsworth Council is holding an emergency workshop next week to design a new approach to supporting local charities, after a flagship £1.65 million tender collapsed earlier this year.
The current contract with Wandsworth Care Alliance, which provides training, funding advice and coordination for the voluntary sector, expires in December – leaving local charities facing uncertainty about future support.
In an email sent to the sector on November 21st, the council’s VCS team said it was “developing an alternative approach” following the “unsuccessful tender process earlier this year.”
The council is now inviting organisations to attend a “design workshop” on December 4th to “explore how we can create a more collaborative model of delivery together.”
It marks a significant U-turn from the formal procurement process that was approved by Labour’s Cabinet in July 2024, which set out an ambitious timeline for a new £330,000-a-year infrastructure support service to begin on July 1st 2025.
Process failure
That process failed spectacularly. A Freedom of Information response obtained by Putney.news revealed that while seven organisations submitted bids, only three were compliant – and none met the council’s requirements. No full evaluation was ever carried out.
The tender was cancelled in May, with bidders told there were “gaps in the service model which the Authority needs to address.”
Six months later, those gaps remain unaddressed – and the existing contract is just weeks from expiring.
The 4 December workshop will bring together “interested potential providers” with independent facilitators to shape what the council is now calling a “partnership model.”
Organisations wishing to attend must demonstrate they have local expertise and trusted relationships in Wandsworth and a “proven track record” in areas including leadership, advocacy, partnership, collaboration and volunteering.
The collapse of the original tender followed an 18-month co-production process involving over 200 local organisations, multiple partnership events, and an independent needs analysis that cost tens of thousands of pounds.
In July 2024, when the Executive approved the procurement, the council described Wandsworth’s voluntary sector as “vibrant and thriving” and committed an additional £150,000 per year to support it.
Cabinet Member for the Voluntary Sector Cllr Kemi Akinola said at the time that the council was building “a fairer and more compassionate Wandsworth.”
Sixteen months later, local charities are still waiting for the support they were promised.
The December 4th workshop runs from 10am to 1pm. Organisations interested in attending should contact Dianne Jones, Voluntary Sector Strategy and Partnership Manager.
