Official UK procurement notice
Insolvency Practitioner Services — UK public procurement notice
Authority: Stoke on Trent City Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionStoke-on-Trent City Council requires the provision of specialist Insolvency Practitioner services to support the recovery of outstanding debts owed to the Council where all standard and conventional debt recovery methods have been exhausted. The appointed provider will act on behalf of the Council to manage and progress complex insolvency cases involving both individuals and corporate entities, with the aim of maximising debt recovery while ensuring full compliance with relevant legislation and professional standards.
The service will support the Council's statutory responsibility to collect public funds, including unpaid Council Tax, National Non-Domestic Rates (Business Rates), and Sundry Debts. The successful provider will be expected to deliver a comprehensive end-to-end insolvency service, offering expert advice, case assessment, legal support, administration, and recovery actions throughout the insolvency process.
The scope of services includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Personal Bankruptcy Proceedings
The provider shall assess individual debtor cases and, where appropriate, initiate and manage bankruptcy proceedings. This includes conducting financial investigations, preparing and submitting statutory documentation, liaising with legal representatives and the Insolvency Service, attending hearings where required, and providing recommendations to the Council regarding the viability and anticipated outcomes of bankruptcy action.
Read the full description (3,625 more characters)
Corporate Winding-Up Petitions
The provider shall manage insolvency proceedings against limited companies and other corporate bodies with outstanding debts owed to the Council. Services will include reviewing case suitability, issuing statutory demands, preparing and presenting winding-up petitions, instructing legal representatives where necessary, attending court proceedings, and overseeing subsequent insolvency processes to maximise recovery opportunities.
Estate Insolvency Matters
The provider shall advise on and manage cases involving deceased debtors where insolvent estates are identified. This may include conducting asset investigations, engaging with executors, administrators, solicitors, and probate practitioners, assessing the Council's position as a creditor, and undertaking any recovery actions considered appropriate within the legal framework governing insolvent estates.
The provider shall offer specialist professional advice to the Council on the suitability of insolvency action in individual cases. This includes reviewing debtor circumstances, identifying potential risks and recovery prospects, advising on legal options, and recommending the most effective and proportionate course of action to achieve the best financial outcome for the Council.
The provider shall maintain effective case management arrangements throughout the duration of each matter. This will include maintaining accurate case records, managing all correspondence and documentation, monitoring progress against agreed milestones, and ensuring timely progression of cases through the relevant insolvency procedures.
The provider shall supply regular management information and performance reports to the Council. Reports should include details of cases received, actions undertaken, outcomes achieved, monies recovered, costs incurred, and case status updates. The provider will also be responsible for ensuring accurate financial reconciliation of all recovered funds, fees, distributions, and disbursements, supported by transparent audit trails.
All services must be delivered in accordance with applicable insolvency legislation, associated regulations, case law, professional standards, and best practice guidance. The provider must hold all necessary licences, authorisations, and professional accreditations required to undertake insolvency work in the United Kingdom. The provider shall also ensure compliance with the Council's policies, procedures, governance requirements, and information security standards.
The provider will be expected to work collaboratively with Council officers, legal services, external legal representatives, insolvency bodies, courts, and other stakeholders as required. Clear communication, responsiveness, and professional conduct will be essential throughout the contract period.
The primary objectives of the service are to:
Maximise recovery of outstanding debts owed to the Council.
Deliver cost-effective and proportionate insolvency solutions.
Provide expert professional advice in complex recovery cases.
Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
Maintain accurate, transparent, and auditable financial records.
Reduce financial losses arising from irrecoverable debts.
Support the Council in protecting public funds and maintaining effective debt recovery arrangements.
The Council is seeking a provider with demonstrable experience in delivering insolvency services for local authorities or other public sector organisations, with the capacity and expertise to manage a varied portfolio of personal, corporate, and estate insolvency cases efficiently and effectively.
CPV: Accounting services · Legal advisory and representation services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1Lot 1PlannedPublished value£460,000
- Value
- £460,000 exc. VAT · £460,000 inc. VAT
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published — the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Technical — 50%
- Pricing — 50%
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Planned procurement
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 23 Sept 2026, 10:59 BST
- Last source update
- 23 Sept 2026, 10:59 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end — 1 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Authority reference
CRN/2026/108- Latest notice
- Planned procurement notice (UK3)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-077858
How it was run
- Submission deadline
- 26 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
5 published dates · Europe/London- Planning notice published1 day ago23 Sept 2026, 10:59 BST
- Tender notice expectedin 5 days28 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Submission deadlinein 32 days26 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Contract startsin 68 days1 Dec 2026, 00:00 GMT
- Award decision expected byin 69 days1 Dec 2026, 23:59 GMT
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Pipeline notice- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Planned procurement notice published23 Sept 2026, 10:59 BSTUK3
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (1)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender