Saving Money
Parish Buying
The National Stewardship Committee has launched a new service aimed at helping parishes of all sizes save money on everyday running costs. A new website at www.parishbuying.org.uk can save you money on a whole range of items from energy bills, office products, IT software, photocopying and fire safety.
So, if you’re interested in potentially reducing your costs, do visit the website, register, and see what you may be able to save.
The whole service is entirely free of charge and represents a major stewardship initiative, in response to the growing number of requests that were being received from parishes facing steep rises in their costs.
Getting quotes
Remember to always get quotes from three different companies before carrying out any work or repairs. The quotes can vary enormously.
For example, St John’s Irlam recently received three quotes for the same work which ranged from £400 to £10,000!
Buy Better Together?
Have you devised new ways of buying collectively to help save money? Or do you have an amazing idea about communities working together that’s just waiting to come out?
The Better Buy Challenge (Coop and BIS) wants to hear from you! A fund of £60,000 has been set up, with a top prize of £15,000. Closing date 15 May 2012.
Entrants are asked to address one or more of the below challenges:
- Challenge One: Project aimed at creating a platform, tool or vehicle to help individuals to come together and form a community buying group.
- Challenge Two: Project aimed at enabling existing or new community groups to develop their purchasing power by working collectively on behalf of individual consumers.
- Challenge Three: Project aimed at businesses to empower their employees or consumers to group for community buying.
For more information and application click here.
Utilities
When buying gas and electricity, parishes are classed as business customers. The Parish Guide to buying Electricity and Gas outlines the five key steps for successful utilities management.
The parish guide to Minimising Utility Costs enables parishes to check whether they can save on electricity and gas by switching to a non-contracted supplier, and identifies suppliers of green energy.
Insurance cover
Make sure your church is adequately insured.
If you are covered by Ecclesiastical Insurance, remember that you must have registered and used SmartWater in the event of a claim for metal theft. Click here for more details.
Purchasing
Phoenix Software offers discounts on many standard office software products for charities, including churches.
Phoenix can supply software from the following vendors at a discount.
Microsoft
Symantec
Adobe
Sophos
Kaspersky
Eset
CA
Vmware
Citrix
Novell
Quark
Nuance
Kaspersky
Visit www.phoenixs.co.uk for more information.
