Strengthen partnerships with charities to provide public services
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy has stated that there are 3 ways local authorities supports greater involvement of the charity and voluntary sector in public service delivery.
The organisation’s new report, Unlocking Potential: Realising the function of local charities in public service delivery, compares the relationship between local authorities and charities and just how, because they build around the progress local authorities have previously made, better opportunities can be created that will make a lasting effect on service users throughout a challenging moment ever.
In it, CIPFA outline three key changes for local authorities to think about: service co-design, capacity building in the market and changes towards the commissioning process.
Service co-design enables commissioners to collaborate with both suppliers and service users to tailor services to community needs. Capacity building and changes to commissioning would help de-mystify the process surrounding complex procurement methods, allowing local authorities to get the best using their local voluntary sector.
Rob Whiteman, CIPFA CEO, said: "Local authorities have long worked together with charities to create alternation in the lives of vulnerable members of their communities. It has never been more evident than in the last year when communities were at breaking point. Covid-19 resulted in local authorities needing to find effective methods to the new and complex challenges these were facing. Charities have given local insight and data to meet these challenges directly.
"We are able to use the momentum developed by the pandemic to bolster meaningful partnerships between local authorities and charities. This could not only achieve value for money, but additionally provide communities with the valuable public services they have to flourish."
