Open public services
- 1. Open Public Services Delivering a level playing field 9th December 2011
- 2. Localism: Public Services Change Agenda… o Changing economic environment o Growing gap between needs and available resources o High and rising unemployment o Sense of unfairness and disempowerment developing o Finance and financial arrangements unstable o New providers on the block ALL CHANGE…
- 3. Letters to the editor September 30 2011 Voluntary sector squeezed out Without Government assurances on are bidding for contracts? And how Sir Nicholas Young, chief social value and accountability the Big can the public, particularly the most executive, British Red Cross; Dr John How, for example, can policymakers ensure that the added social Society vision will be an undeliverable vulnerable and voiceless, be assured Low, chief executive, Charities Aid fantasy value of services delivered by the voluntary sector is taken into that politicians will be accountable for public services if they are run outside Foundation; Caron Bradshaw, chief executive, Charity Finance Directors Sir, Theaccount, even if of does not result in short-term cost savings to consultation on the future it the public sphere? Group; David Tyler, chief executive, Community Matters; Lin taxpayers? the UK’s public services ends this Gillians, chief executive, London week, but many voluntary sector Voluntary sector providers rely on organisations still have pressing dedicated, passionate volunteers and Voluntary Service Council; Kevin questions which must be answered if staff who add huge value to our Curley, chief executive, National How will the Government ensure a level playing field between vulnerable people in society are to get services. This added social value Association for Voluntary and Community Action; Dr Hilary well-resourced private-sector companies and cash-constrained the support they need. should be at the heart of the Emery, chief executive, National commissioning process, with a focus charities when the two are bidding for contracts? How, for example, can policymakers on the humanitarian, not just the Children’s Bureau; Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive, National ensure that the added social value of financial, bottom line. Council for Voluntary Organisations; services delivered by the voluntary Susanne Rauprich, chief How can the public, particularly theneed vulnerable and At this crucial time, we most sector is taken into account, even if it executive, National Council for does not result in short-term cost commitments from the Government. voiceless, be assured that politicians will be accountable for public savings to taxpayers? How will the Without assurances on social value Voluntary Youth Services; Cath Lee, chief executive, Small Charities services if they are run outside the Big Society sphere? and accountability the public Government ensure a level playing Coalition field between well-resourced private- vision will be an undeliverable sector companies and cash- fantasy. constrained charities when the two
- 4. Best Value fit PUBLIC SERVICES Environmental Efficiency Effectiveness Economy Social Value
- 5. Articulate social value £ Over 14,430 formal and active organisations Total expenditure > £3.3 billion pa Employs 2.1% of the workforce: 51,000 employees of which 64% are full time and 435,000 volunteers, 45% of workforce in professional, technical and managerial occupations
- 6. Open Public Services Shaping delivery in the West Midlands How can commissioning bodies ensure that the added social value of services delivered by the voluntary sector is taken into account, even if it does not result in short-term cost savings to taxpayers? What instruments could be put in place to ensure a level playing field between well-resourced private-sector companies and cash- constrained charities when the two are bidding for contracts? How can the public, particularly the most vulnerable and voiceless, be assured of robust accountability frameworks for public services if they are delivered outside the public sphere?
Editor's Notes
- #5: Best Value Authorities are under a general Duty of best Value to ‘make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness’Under the same duty authorities should consider overall value, including economic, environmental and social value, when reviewing and commissioning service provision including the new areas of health, welfare reform inc: employment, justice and immigration services – for example SERCO underpinning the UK borders during the strike.
- #6: Isn’t this a sector worth investing in by bringing or maintaining in the market place?