By Suzanne Cumberbatch Richmond RLBC has denied suggestions the re-tendering of its communications contract, which is currently held by Westminster City Council, will be politically led. The previous Conservative-led Richmond administration appointed the Tory flagship city authority to deliver its communications service. But recent local elections saw the Liberal Democrats regain control at Richmond, leaving the future of the communications contract in doubt. Potential tenderers for the contract – which Westminster has held for the past three years and covers media relations, corporate marketing, service marketing and internal communications – were invited in last week’s edition of The MJ, to run from January next year. Richmond’s new leader, Serge Lourie, told The MJ the council had ‘absolutely no preconceptions’ about who would land the contract. ‘The contract has been successful and the individuals involved in the contract have done a great service, but it is now necessary for us to re-tender,’ said Cllr Lourie. ‘We’re looking for best value. This will not be a political decision at all, and will be based purely on the merits of case, quality of service and price.’ He said one option was to bring the service back in-house. Head of marketing at Westminster and lead officer for the Richmond contract, Julia Corkey, said the job of those employees involved was to deliver effective communications for the council, regardless of political administration. ‘We have worked with both administrations and believe we have the confidence of the councillors and officers at the council,’ she said. ‘We will submit the pre-qualification questionnaire, and welcome the opportunity to do so. ‘This is the first partnership of its kind, so we also believe it is appropriate to review the service.’ s.cumberbatch@hgluk.com
