Re-evaluating Competition and Contracting – A Commissioning Joint Committee Study

The CJC has completed a report on its study of these subjects, both of which are relied on to achieve economies and efficiency, while at the same time moving more public sector work to the third sector and the private sector, and achieving greater economies of scale and the movement of more decision making to the front line.

The CJC conducted a joint survey with the Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) to test the views of practitioners with knowledge of the subject, and this report draws on the results which are supported by the CJC’s feeling that it is high time for some conventional wisdom to be challenged, and for yet more to be done to address some unintended consequences of otherwise good and necessary changes.

CJC response on statutory duties

The Commissioning Joint Committee has responded to the Government consultation process reviewing statutory duties placed on local authorities. To read the response please click here.

Staff Mutuals – free information note available

The Commissioning Joint Committee has released an information note on staff mutuals, and the right of staff to run services, which the Committee is aware is a subject of growing interest for many public service organizations and their employees.

In keeping with the Committee’s standing aim of de-mystifying subjects for a wide public service readership, the note looks at how mutuals are not so new as many first consider, and takes the reader through specific legal and practical points to bear in mind, thus helping organizations and their staff to get to grips with this method of commissioning and delivering public services in a different way.

Standing Guide to the Commissioning of Local Authority Work and Services

The Commissioning Joint Committee has released the latest version of its comprehensive guide which is now available to subscribers online.

What’s new in the 2011 edition?
The 2011 edition provides as far as possible for new court decisions and new legislation, in particular the Regulations for transposing the Remedies Directive into UK law and for amending the Procurement Directives. It also provides for other material changes such as International Financial Reporting Standards and the proposed change from RPI to CPI in the basis for uprating pensions.
It includes completely revised and updated parts covering:

• framework agreements
• freedom of information
• local authority companies and connected entities
• state aid, and
• total place.

For further details and to subscribe please visit the CIPFA Shop or the Standing Guide website.