Introduction to Localism Robert Beard Policy Officer  NAVCA, The Tower, 2 Furnival Square SHEFFIELD S1 4QL  +(0)  

National Association for Voluntary and Community Action a national charity a membership organisation: –councils for voluntary services –forums and campaigning groups a voice to policy makers an OCS strategic partner

The government’s programme: the vision: Big Society the policy: localism the strategy: decentralisation

Big Society not a programme an outcome 3 strands: –voluntarism, philanthropy and social action –public service reform –community empowerment “Civil Society” and “Civil Society organisations”

Localism

Planning: local plans Education: free schools Health: GP consortia Public Services: right to challenge Public Buildings: assets of community value Cuts: local implementation Police: elected commissioners Local government: elected mayors Decentralisation

Big Society “won’t happen overnight” “10-20 year project” “a massive disconnect” Nick Hurd, 16 November 2011

Localism Act new powers for councils new rights for local people and communities planning reform make housing fairer and more democratic incentives for economic growth

Localism Act new powers for councils –decentralisation –general power of competence –elected mayors –return to committee system Doncaster votes for referendum to abolish elected Mayor Nottinghamshire returning to committee structure

Localism Act new rights for local people and communities –right to challenge –assets of community value –council tax rise veto includes ‘virtual’ and ‘causal’ communities – Greg Clark

Localism Act planning reform –democratic and local control National Planning Policy Framework presumption in favour of sustainable development Select Committee calls for redraft

Localism Act make housing fairer and more democratic –local decision making –local control of social housing

Localism Act incentives for economic growth –give councils more stake in local economy –business rate discounts –tax breaks –rate supplements Local Government Finance Bill

Localism Act – will it deliver? danger of losing real expertise generic procurement officers –a lot about process –little about outcomes best bid, not best service

Real power for communities

Community right to challenge The provisions DON’T –offer successful challengers the right to deliver services

Community right to challenge The provisions DO –trigger a procurement process –no contract breaks –open to all providers EU procurement law favours large providers

Community right to challenge Further action –big service deliverers should work with local providers –social clauses Community right to challenge

Modernising Commissioning Green Paper (December 2010) –new opportunities in public service delivery –making public service markets more accessible –using ‘social value’ to inform commissioning –Civil Society support for citizen and community involvement

Modernising Commissioning NAVCA response –‘payment by results’ risk to small CSOs –commissioners must understand sector –access to affordable professional advice –importance of ‘social value’ –training for commissioners

Which procurement rules apply?

EU draft procurement rules modernise and simplify commissioning break down contracts – or explain why not reduce documentation consider social impact needs European parliament and ministerial approval

Public Services (Social Value) Bill public bodies must take account of ‘wider economic, social and environmental well-being’ consider whether to consult beneficiaries NAVCA social value briefings

Procurement and commissioning NAVCA publications –A Beginner’s Guide to Commissioning –Pathways Through the Maze –A Bridge Between Two Worlds –At Your Bidding