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Civil society and commissioning

The government is increasingly looking to the 'civil society' - the range of institutions which occupy the space between the State and the private sector (eg: local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts and co-operatives) - to assist with the design and delivery of public services.

Since the government sets specific policy objectives in relation to the sector and provides public money to such organisations, the NAO has a responsibility to report on whether this expenditure has provided value for money in relation to the government's objectives.

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Advice, guidance and tools

In addition to formal reports to Parliament, we also produce a range of other outputs from our financial audit and VFM work. Examples include:

Central government’s implementation of the national Compact

January 2012

The Compact is a voluntary agreement that sets out shared principles for effective partnership working between the government and voluntary and civil society organisations in England.

Central government’s implementation of the national Compact

Decommissioning: How to decommission public services delivered by civil society organisations and maintain value for money

July 2011

This guide provides practical advice on how to plan for and manage the decommissioning of public services delivered by civil society organisations (CSOs) and maintain value for money while doing so. Designed for local commissioners e.g. in local government and local health services, the guide is based on research with them and CSOs. Like ‘Successful Commissioning’, Decommissioning CSOs is relevant to all commissioners and will be of interest to other stakeholders, especially CSOs.

Decommissioning: How to decommission public services delivered by civil society organisations and maintain value for money

Successful Commissioning: How to secure value for money through better financial relationships with third sector organisations

March 2010

The Successful Commisioning guide is useful for all commissioners, procurement officers and managers, and grants officers who work in local authorities and local health organisations, including in primary care trusts. Third sector organisations will find the tool useful in thinking about their involvement in delivering public services. The guide clearly sets out the main issues for effective financial relationships with third sector organisations; makes use of existing guidance in an accessible and practical way, and; dispels some of the ‘myths’ that exist around commissioning with the third sector.

Successful Commissioning: How to secure value for money through better financial relationships with third sector organisations

Intelligent Monitoring: New guidance to help cut red tape for charitable, voluntary and community organisations

2009

The Government gives £12 billion to charities and other voluntary and community organisations every year. Our Intelligent Monitoring guidance will help focus time and money on key services.

Read full article: Intelligent Monitoring: New guidance to help cut red tape for charitable, voluntary and community organisations

Financial relationships with third sector organisations: A Decision Support Tool

2009

The Decision Support Tool for public bodies in England provides practical support to officials who are involved in making, or advising on, 'real-life' decisions about the design of appropriate funding relationships with third sector organisations. It takes into account such issues as programme objectives, funding channels, duration of award, full cost recovery, EU state aid considerations and much more.

Financial relationships with third sector organisations: A Decision Support Tool