Big Society or Big Talk? A perspective on the Public Services bill
December 2010
The Public Services (Social Enterprise and Social Value) bill doesn’t sound the catchiest piece of possible legislation
but it could go a long way to making the Big Society more than Big Talk, says Robert Nieri of Freeth Cartright LLP.
This private members’ bill, which has the backing of the coalition government and of the opposition, would require central and local government to publish strategies for the promotion of social enterprise.
It would also require local authorities to give greater consideration to economic, social or environmental well being during the pre-procurement stage, leading to bidders for public sector contracts being asked what positive social outcomes they would offer.
Charities and other social enterprises might be given more of a say in helping to shape required social outcomes before authorities go out to tender and in turn this could make it easier for them to secure contracts, where the total package they offer – including all ‘hidden value’– is properly evaluated.
At a time when ‘achieving more for less’ has become a mantra, public money might become the catalyst for more social enterprise, bringing positive social benefits to a community, as well as value for money to government.
The bill had its second reading in the Commons in November and now passes to committee stage where it will be scrutinised clause by clause. It could become law in 2011.
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/publicservicessocialenterpriseandsocialvalue.html
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