A framework for fast support

September sun followed by Storm Agnes… the weather is certainly changeable at the moment.? But winter is approaching. Evenings are getting darker; the clocks will go back and colder weather will inevitably make its presence felt.

I hope that mild temperatures continue as long as possible, because despite some let up in fuel prices hikes and inflation, many households are still caught in a cost-of-living crisis. Just because inflation has reduced a touch - with ‘core’ CPI, which excludes energy and food prices, dipping to 6.2%% in the 12 months to August, it doesn’t hide the reality that prices are still increasing, just not quite so quickly.

Local Authorities are bracing themselves for another winter where demand for support is still high, while the constraints on their budgets are squeezing their finances now and into the future. In fact, recent research from The BBC's Shared Data Unit found that the average council now faces a ￡33m predicted deficit by 2025-26 – a rise of 60% from ￡20m two years ago.

This increases the pressure on Local Authorities twofold. On one hand they have to find ways to get more for their money and make their funds stretch further in supporting vulnerable families. On the other they still have to ensure that support gets to the right people quickly, efficiently and accountably.

Blackhawk Network is the only payments provider with a dedicated Public Sector division focused on providing solutions that deliver much need financial support quickly and flexibly via pre paid cards and vouchers. These solutions are becoming more and more attractive to Local Authorities who want to find cost-effective ways to deliver support, while freeing up their own workforce and resources to focus on delivering essential services.

One of the reasons Local Authorities are coming to us is because of the nature of Public Procurement – an issue that is becoming more important in light of the new Procurement Bill which is going through its final stages before becoming law.

Blackhawk Solutions are already fully compliant with the Crown Commercial Service’s Payment Solutions 2 Framework. This framework provides "access to the supply and maintenance of?payment solutions, which will allow users to buy goods and services. It will also offer prepaid solutions for those who do not have other means of accessing funds."

There are three ‘lots’ which comprise the range of payment solutions the CCS is looking for. These are procurement cards?for buying goods and services, digital or physical prepaid cards that can be spent online and instore and closed-loop voucher schemes (better known as gift cards)? where the retailer who issues the voucher also redeems it.

As our solutions are already compliant in all these categories, Local Authorities can come to us confident that for them, the complicated procurement process is significantly simplified and that we are pre-qualified to assured supplier standards, including security standards ISO/IEC 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.

The ultimate benefit? When a Local Authority is looking for a payment solution that can get set up fast and delivering support to those in need quickly and effectively, we can deliver it, without false starts or failed tenders. For targeted support that addresses specific need for energy support we even offer a specific Energy prepaid card that can be used online, over the phone, or via a smart prepayment app.

We’re hoping that inflationary and fuel price pressures continue to relent – and the weather is kind to us over the winter. However, while the sun still shines we’re here for Local Authorities who want to have flexible, scalable and cost-effective solutions in place for the inevitable rise in demand for support.

Contact me today on 07485 376 178 or email me at?[email protected] to find out about creating bespoke payment solutions that meet your budget, timelines, and specific needs.