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Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority - Public Affairs and Communications Support

Cheshire West and Chester Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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19 Aug 2026 at 08:40

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cheshire West and Chester Council procured public affairs and communications support for the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority. The requirement covers strategic public affairs advice aligned with organisational priorities and emerging programmes; relationship management with UK Government, ministers, parliamentarians, officials and other political stakeholders; and identifying opportunities to influence national policy, funding decisions and major government processes. The supplier is also expected to produce political and stakeholder communications, including letters, briefings, submissions, speeches and meeting preparation. Further work includes engagement with MPs, council leaders, neighbouring authorities, businesses, universities and regional partners, alongside media relations, thought leadership, political intelligence, horizon scanning and coordinated communications across policy, media and corporate channels. The services are delivered in North West England.

The procurement has been completed and the contract was awarded to CWE Communications Ltd. It used a direct award below the relevant threshold, without competition, for one lot. The award is for public relations consultancy services. The contract was signed on 30 July 2026 and runs from 30 July 2026 to 31 December 2026, with an optional three-month extension to 31 March 2027. Its value is £48,750 excluding VAT, or £58,500 including VAT. The evaluation basis was therefore the council’s direct-award decision rather than a competitive tender. The contract is active and the procurement is recorded as complete, so this opportunity has already resulted in a supplier appointment rather than an invitation to submit bids.

This procurement shows demand from the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority for an external public affairs and communications partner able to combine political influence, stakeholder engagement and strategic communications. A credible future competitor would need established relationships across central and local government, including ministers, parliamentarians, officials, MPs and council leaders, together with the judgement to identify policy and funding opportunities. Relevant capability includes producing concise briefings, submissions, speeches, letters and meeting preparation; providing political intelligence and horizon scanning; and coordinating public affairs, policy, media and corporate communications. Suppliers should also be able to support proactive media work, reputation building and thought leadership while engaging businesses, universities and regional partners. The requirement suits a flexible public relations consultancy with experience of complex public-sector stakeholder environments.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority - Public Affairs and Communications Support

Notice Description

The Combined Authority is seeking flexible public affairs and communications support to strengthen its profile, improve engagement with government and political stakeholders, and ensure clear, strategic communication of its priorities. The CA requires external support to: * Provide strategic public affairs advice aligned to organisational priorities and emerging programmes. * Build and manage relationships with UK Government, ministers, parliamentarians, officials and other political stakeholders. * Identify opportunities to influence national policy, funding decisions and major government processes. * Produce high quality political and stakeholder communications, including letters, briefings, submissions, speeches and meeting preparation. * Support engagement with local MPs, council leaders, neighbouring authorities, businesses, universities and regional partners. * Strengthen the CA's reputation through proactive media, stakeholder engagement and thought leadership. * Provide political intelligence, horizon scanning and advice on emerging issues. * Ensure coordinated communications across public affairs, policy, media and corporate channels.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e705
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078749-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79416200 - Public relations consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£48,750 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Jul 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
30 Jul 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ELLESMERE PORT
Postcode
CH65 0BA
Postcode Area
Chester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Central & Grange
Westminster Constituency
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CWE COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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