CHESHIRE East Council has scooped a business friendly award for a series of free workshops aimed at helping small businesses win public sector contracts.

The authority scooped the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) 'Business Buddy Award', a scheme set up last year to recognise the efforts of individuals, groups or organisations who’ve made a special effort to help small firms prosper.

The council’s free workshops are targeted at local businesses, charities and social enterprises.

The aim is to show them how to ‘get started’ in the bid process, how to produce a tender and how to collaborate with other organisations – to increase scale and expertise – to form ‘consortia’ to tender for local and central government work

“We very much like the approach being taken by Cheshire East, and we urge other local authorities in the region to follow their lead,” Chris Manka, the FSB’s North Cheshire branch chairman, said.

“We know many small firms are put off from tendering for public sector jobs as they believe they don’t have the time or man power to do so successfully, but mainly it’s because too many simply don’t know where to start.

“We know from speaking to our members these concerns are common, but that viewpoint needs to be addressed, and to their credit that’s exactly what the council here are doing with these procurement workshops.

“For this reason they are worthy winners of our Business Buddy Award.”

Mr Manka presented the award to Cllr Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council.

Cllr Jones said: “I am delighted that our team has won deserved recognition for its work supporting our local businesses.

“Tendering for a public sector contract can be a daunting prospect and these free workshops provide excellent guidance to help businesses develop a bid.

“We want traders and charities to know that we are always interested in receiving tenders from local businesses and organisations.

“We put a lot of emphasis on supporting local firms and businesses and ensuring as many services as possible are provided locally – while ensuring quality services and value for money for the people of Cheshire East.”