Community Benefits Clauses (CBCs) ask suppliers to provide social, economic or environmental benefits as part of delivering a Fife Council contract.
Fife Council uses procurement to help create added value for local people, places and communities.
A key addition is the Microsoft Forms Community Benefits Request Form, which allows eligible organisations to submit details of projects, activities or support they are seeking. Requests submitted through the form will be added to a Community Benefits list that can be shared with prospective tenderers, contractors and procuring officers to help identify opportunities for Community Benefit delivery.
Who can make a request?
- Registered charities and SCIOs
- Community Interest Companies (with an asset lock)
- Community Benefit Societies (with an asset lock)
- Constituted voluntary and not-for-profit organisations
- Community Councils
- Social enterprises
- Churches and faith organisations (for secular activities only)
- Schools, pre-schools and nurseries
- Universities and colleges
Non-constituted groups may also be able to apply by working with an eligible organisation, subject to additional checks.
If you have any queries on the process or would like any more detail about the current request list, email communitybenefits.procurement@fife.gov.uk
Community benefit proposals should be relevant to the contract, achievable and capable of delivering a clear local benefit.
Scottish Government guidance is available below.
The examples on this page are a guide and are not exhaustive.
We welcome practical and proportionate proposals that respond to local needs.
For more information on Fife's priorities, see the Plan for Fife 2017-2027
Priority themes
Opportunities for all
This theme focuses on improving access to education, training, jobs, advice and support.
Examples of community benefits that may support this theme include:
- Take part in school careers events
- Provide training or work experience
- Support enterprise or STEM activities
- Donate equipment or materials to community groups
For further information or guidance on how you could help support the Development of the Young Workforce in Fife please contact - dyw.fife@fife.gov.uk
Thriving places
This theme focuses on creating safe, attractive and well-maintained places.
Examples of community benefits that may support this theme include:
- Support local environmental improvement projects
- Contribute to community tidy-up activities
- Support recycling or zero waste initiatives
- Provide materials for local improvement projects
Inclusive growth and jobs
This theme focuses on supporting local businesses, improving skills and creating fair access to jobs.
Examples of community benefits that may support this theme include:
- Offer training, work experience or job shadowing
- Support local SMEs, social enterprises or third sector organisations
- Create subcontracting opportunities in local supply chains
- Work with training providers to address skills gaps
For further information or guidance on how you could help support the Development of the Young Workforce in Fife please contact - dyw.fife@fife.gov.uk
Life Chances
Sector-based Skills Academies
Fife Council's sector-based skills academies support unemployed people who face barriers to work by offering training, employability support and work-based learning.
Support can include CV preparation, application support and interview preparation.
Programmes usually run for 2 to 6 weeks, depending on employer availability.
For more information or to discuss an academy delivery plan as part of community benefit contribution please contact Cheryl Morgan – Lead Officer, Training & Development Team – cheryl.morgan@fife.gov.uk
Case study
Community Benefits Programme – BAM Construction Academy
Further information can be found at: Training and Development Sector-based Skills Academy Programme.
Community led services
This theme focuses on putting communities and service users at the centre of service design and delivery.
Examples of community benefits that may support this theme include:
- Support local community events
- Support consultation and engagement activity
- Support projects that reduce loneliness and social isolation
- Support health improvement and wellbeing activities
Additional guidance
You can use the questions below to help decide whether a proposal is a genuine community benefit rather than part of routine contract delivery or normal business practice.
- Does the activity meet an identified community need?
- Does the activity support an organisation's community-based purpose?
- Will the activity deliver a measurable benefit to the community?
- Is it additional to normal business activity and good practice?
Support for businesses
Fife Council and its partners offer support to small businesses, medium-sized businesses and third sector organisations that want to bid for contracts, improve tendering skills and develop their capacity to deliver community benefits.
Business gateway Fife
Business Gateway Fife offers practical advice, workshops and specialist support for new and growing businesses in Fife.
For more information on the Business Gateway Fife services, visit: Fife - Local Support | Business Gateway | Business Gateway
Fife Council’s Supplier Development Programme
The Supplier Development Programme offers free support to help businesses find contract opportunities, understand procurement processes and improve tendering skills.
Find out more about the Supplier Development Programme in Fife
For any business support enquiries, contact: fifemeansbusiness@fife.gov.uk
If you are a community organisation looking to engage with suppliers on potential community benefit activity, please refer to the separate guidance for community groups when it becomes available.
If you have any questions about community benefits, please email communitybenefits.procurement@fife.gov.uk.
