Government policy is to transform the public sector, particularly through ’mutualisation’ initiatives and, more generally, provision of public services by non-public sector organisations dedicated to public benefit delivery.
EU procurement regulations allow public sector organisations to consider achieving social value when they procure goods and services (‘Buying Social’ - A Guide to Taking Account of Social Considerations in Public Procurement, published in October 2010 by the European Commission).
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2010-12 recommends that public bodies consider how they can use public service contracts to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of our communities.
This naturally presents opportunities for, and encourages both commissioning bodies and the social enterprise sector to work together.
Procurement Support
In collaboration with specialist partners we have developed a procurement support programme designed to:
- Give participants the knowledge of national and EU procurement law they need to understand their scope for action
- Give participants an understanding of the ways in which procurement can be used to deliver local economic impact and social value
- Increase the numbers of social enterprises gaining public procurement contracts throughout the UK
- Work with participants and social enterprises to ensure procurement/delivery readiness so as to drive greater value and achieve sustainability
Matching Services
Our unique market positioning enables us to work with commissioning bodies and other contracting organisations to help them identify and work with appropriate social enterprise contractors, either individually or in collaboration, which have the capability and expertise to deliver services that generate demonstrable local economic and social value.
£1bn University Challenge
UK universities should spend at least £1 billion of the £7 billion per annum they currently spend on procuring goods and services from external suppliers, with social enterprises.
That is the message from Professor Nick Petford, the University of Northampton’s Vice-Chancellor. Please click here to find out more.