Provision of Banking Services

Dorset Council is seeking tenders for the provision of banking services. Local Government Reorganisation has taken place in the County of Dorset, which resulted in a new Dorset Council on 1 April 2019 replacing the former district and borough councils (East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland) and the former Dorset County Council. The banking arrangements maintained by the former councils are currently provided by a range of different banks and these arrangements will continue until the new banking contract for Dorset Council is implemented. Dorset Council requires a comprehensive money transmission banking service involving maintenance of numerous bank accounts, handling of paper, BACS and CHAPS clearing, cash processing and other activities associated with local authority banking business. The Council will require an internet banking service for balance/transaction reporting and payment initiation. It is anticipated that the contract will commence immediately after final award and run for a period of 5 years. The Council will require the option to extend the contract for a further 3 years (making a maximum possible contract length of 8 years). Given the complexities of consolidating the banking arrangements, it is very unlikely that all services/requirements will be fully implemented by 1st April 2020. It is likely that different arrangements will be transferred to the new banking contract over an extended period of time up to and following 1st April 2020