WCVA regional policy events

4 October, Morfa Hall, Rhyl
5 October, The Pavilion, Llandrindod Wells
12 October 2011, Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen
13 October 2011, Christchurch Centre, Newport

The changing face of commissioning – date for your diaries

The commissioning of public services is undergoing a change. As public bodies seek to make efficiency savings in their processes and are collaborating more, third sector organisations are exploring the implications of larger, regional or generic public service contracts.

In some cases, moves towards joint commissioning will mean joint tendering for smaller service providers. Working in a consortium has been proposed as a useful vehicle for smaller organisations to engage in public service delivery – but how does this work in practice?

There is also a growing debate about the principles of co-production: how service users and communities work in partnership with professionals, to redesign services so that they are more responsive to needs – or even reshape the relationship between public bodies, citizens and communities.

The third sector performs a number of important roles that can contribute to the commissioning of public services: it acts as an advocate for citizens; as an expert in key service areas; and of course as a service provider. And there are critical points in the commissioning cycle that can support or impede the involvement of third sector organisations in contributing effectively to the process.

These subjects will form the basis of WCVA's October Regional Policy Events. The morning will explore the changing context of commissioning, and where the third sector can be involved. The afternoon session will be dedicated to procurement: the problems and processes of tendering for public service contracts and how third sector organisations might work together to deliver services.

For further information, please contact Gareth Coles on gcoles@wcva.org.uk or 029 2043 1771.