COMMUNITY BANKING BUSINESS APPRAISAL

Description

Ware Community Banking strategy - specification 1. Background Ware, Hertfordshire is a market town with a population of c20K. The Town Centre has a mix of mostly independent businesses. Over the last five years all of the town's high street banks have closed. The post office is based in McColl's in the High Street and offers both personal and business banking facilities, there are various ATMs distributed around Ware. The county town of Hertford approximately four miles away has banking facilities provided by Nat West, Santander, Lloyds and HSBC. The council is seeking suitability experienced consultancy support with this strategic work. 2. The overall remit We wish to commission the following specific outputs: To identify - Is there a need for a community bank hub in Ware or could the needs of the community be better met in another way for both personal and business banking. To define - What a community bank hub is, providing options and examples from other communities in the UK and further afield if relevant. To create - A business plan with SMART objectives for a community bank to include (but not limited to) the following. • Legal structure / Governance arrangements • Ownership • Cost and income proposals • Space required • Security arrangements • Partner organisations • Grants available, capital and revenue • Hours of operation • Staffing • Capital costs • Revenue income and costs 1 to 5 years • Marketing And produce a business plan / scoping document with SMART objectives for the other options if the community bank hub scheme is not progressed. • Legal structure • Ownership • Cost and income proposals • Space required • Security arrangements • Partner organisations • Grants available, capital and revenue • Hours of operation • Staffing • Capital costs • Revenue income and costs 1 to 5 years • Marketing The consultant may be asked to produce an opening plan with costs and timescales dependent on the evaluation of the business plan by the Council, (a separate cost should be included for this item) We envisage the appointed consultant(s) working with council officers and members and our various partners and stakeholders in a collaborative way to find solutions. The consultant is encouraged to liaise with the following groups or individuals. • Derek French • The Banking Hub company • Post Office Counters • Access to Cash Group 3. Detailed requirements Specifically, we would like support in the following areas: • a desk top review supplemented by interviews/discussion with key contacts locally in order to reflect back to the council • a reasoned, evidence-based discussion of the issues and potential solutions • a clearly laid out action plan containing SMART actions and targets • reference to the latest thinking and best practice regarding banking services •

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