Pre-budget report: 3rd sector role defined to delver public services

Partnership in Public Services: an Action Plan for Third Sector Involvement, which will remove barriers to third sector organisations wishing to become involved in delivering and designing public services, was published today alongside the Chancellor's pre-budget report (PBR).

From the national offender management service to Jobcentre Plus, the plan brings together the opportunities for the third sector to play an enhanced role in public services. Actions include, a national programme to train 2,000 of those who commission public services on how to involve the third sector in services and £30 million funding for community groups to work with Local Authorities to take over management or ownership of local assets.

Also, the interim report on review of the future role of the third sector is published. The report makes clear a commitment to passing on the stability of three-year funding to third sector organisations as the norm rather than the exception. As a next step, the third sector review will undertake further work on five key themes - enabling voice and campaigning, strengthening communities, encouraging social enterprise, transforming public services and creating the environment for the third sector to thrive - to set out a common vision for the partnership between Government and the sector.

Ed Miliband, Minister for the Third Sector said:
"Where government is commissioning services, we are determined to break down the barriers to the third sector involvement. With training for the key commissioners, a commitment to standard contracts and a clear timetable for reducing the administrative burden on third sector organisations, this plan represents a major step forward.

"The greater involvement of the third sector in delivery must not be about government abdicating its responsibility to fund public services. Instead, it is about ensuring that, in the right circumstances, the sector can deliver services where it is best placed to do so.

"It is supported by the commitments in the interim report of the third sector review, including that in the forthcoming comprehensive spending review, three-year funding should be the norm not the exception."

Other important actions of the Public Services Action plan include:
> Commitments to streamline both the administration of contracts and the assurance process for organisations working with more than one government agency;
> The creation of an Innovation Exchange website to connect innovators in the sector with those who can support their work.
> A summary of areas of opportunity for the third sector to take on a central role in delivering services to the public
> Commitments to use the reforms in the Local Government White Paper to ensure stable contracts for the sector enabling them to better plan their resources.
> A forum to align the creation of 'commissioning frameworks' in government departments
> A review of contracting principles to ensure that smaller third sector organisations can partner with larger organisations to deliver services.

Related links to this article:
HM Treasury
Cabinet Office
Partnership in Public Services: an Action Plan for Third Sector Involvement
The interim report of the Third Sector review is at this link

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Finalists in the e-Government National Awards 2006
The Local Authority National Survey is now underway, asking all UK councillors and senior staff at the 467 UK Local Authorities their views and plans for 2007-8. The results identify Local Authority plans for investment in shared services to deliver the vision in the Local Government White Paper. Tickets are still available for the 17th Jan e-Government National Conference where the results will be announced.

89 finalists in 11 categories in the e-Government National Awards 2006 have been announced. The Awards recognise and praise the best strategies, achievements, teams and individuals in UK e-Government. Judging takes place shortly and finalists will be announced the first week of November. The Awards will be presented at a prestigious dinner at the Savoy in London on 17th January 2007. For details of booking seats at the dinner and conference please see this link.

The Awards are supported by the Cabinet Office e-Government Unit, the Office of Government Commerce, the Society of Information Technology Management (Socitm), and SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers). Platinum sponsor is KPMG, and also a sponsor are SunGard and O2.