Dear Colleagues,
On the Move!
What amazing work you do and what a privilege it is to support you in the work that you do. Over the next few weeks and months, I will be coming out to visit as many of you as possible to hear firsthand about your work as well as any concerns you may undoubtedly have. Please invite me to your group, it would be great to meet up.
It is now more important than ever that we come together in strength and unity. The VCSEF sector is under strain and pressure not only from the people who need and use our services but also from statutory partners and agencies.
The Government has now launched the Civil Society Covenant with a view to creating ‘an enduring covenant between government and all those who invest their time and money in the service of others.’ There is more detail here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-society-covenant
This should mean that the VCSEF and local government can work together in a more meaningful way in terms of, for example, codesigning/coproducing services and devolving budgets.
Additionally, the Cabinet Office has launched consultation on the Procurement Act to enable more local and central government contracts to be available to the VCSEF sector: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/public-procurement-growing-british-industry-jobs-and-skills-consultation-on-further-reforms-to-public-procurement
Proposals include:
- Setting targets for direct spend with the VCSEF sector
- Awarding contracts for certain services delivered to vulnerable people without a full competitive procedure
- Using standard social value criteria and metrics
Remember to check out our website and newsletter regularly – there is always new information, and opportunities are always presenting themselves.
If there are any issues that you would like to raise or anything that you would like to hear more about, please contact me.
Thank you,
Sharon Nanan-Sen
Chief Executive Officer