Buying local: how Councils and Commissioners can work better with small charities

After two years as a County Councillor and more than a year managing a small charity, it is a question I have faced often: how can small, local service providers be given a fair chance in bidding for public sector contracts. It matters because we are talking about really important local services. Services where being passionate about tackling issues faced by local people can add something that just can’t be measured in financial terms.

The NCVO is looking at this issue and if you would like to have your say, please complete the survey here by 24th July 2019.

Here’s more in the NCVO’s own words:

Due to commissioning and bidding practices, as well as a move towards fewer, larger
contracts, larger voluntary organisations are more likely to receive government funding. This
has affected the sustainability of local voluntary sectors and raises concerns as to how
voluntary organisations compete, collaborate and coexist. We want a system that allows a
range of voluntary organisations to deliver high quality services, enabling the distinctiveness
of large and small voluntary organisations to flourish and play their part.
The project will look at the issues in the round and consider the wide range of factors that
influence the way voluntary organisations behave, as well as the wider commissioning and
funding environment affecting them. While the project will consider the wider commissioning
environment, we will focus on how organisations themselves can take action.