The mood from colleagues in the community sector was sombre. Afzal Hussain, Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association, reported that his organisation has seen footfall into their local centre rise from 7,000 in the previous year to 12,000 in the year just finished. Inequality, like demand, is set to rise, and organisations like WLCA working in less prosperous neighbourhoods will continue to be on the front line. Neighbourhood based organisations will need to diversify income streams as public funds are squeezed further. There were some crumbs of comfort; the strengthening of the community right to bid was welcomed, and it appears to be a good time to aspire to run a community pub.
For the social enterprise sector, Sarah Crawley of the Initiative for Social Entrepreneurs saw opportunities to deliver more public services. There is an explicit commitment in the manifesto to innovation in delivery which is welcome. However there were some raised eyebrows that the Work Programme is being held up as a success story of how to involve the third sector in service delivery. We should be ready for payment by results to be rolled out across more contracts, and greater use of social investment tools like Social Impact Bonds.
There is also some welcome mention of the beleaguered library service, with a commitment to helping more libraries “go digital” around e-books and community wifi.
The co-operators in the room noted with some concern the absence of any reference whatsoever to co-operatives, or co-operation, in the manifesto (perhaps a result of the travails at the Co-operative Group over the last 18 months). There is a one line mention of public service mutuals, and the possibility of a “right to mutualise”. Our good friend Cliff Mills pointed out that mutuality is not something you can impose on a workforce; it needs to be the decision of those involved.
All of us noticed the return of the Big Society, with its emphasis now on “Over to You”. However with the burden of continuing austerity impacting most on those least able to bear it, this means one thing for all in social business: there is even more for us to do now. And that, perhaps, summarises the other big theme of our conversation.
We should be realistic about what’s coming in the next 5 years. There will be challenging times ahead, especially for the poorest in our communities and neighbourhoods. But there was also a strong, shared sense that we won’t – we can’t – wait for government to come and make things better. The social business sector will continue to do what it does best – we will roll up our sleeves, pitch in where we see a need, and do what we can to use trade to create social impact. And if ministers want to help it’ll be a bonus.
Please contact David Alcock.
In the Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper, the Government signalled its desire to increase its control over procurements by all contracting authorities.
The monthly round-up from the Anthony Collins Solicitors charities team.
Legal updates as the UK enters into stage 4 of the roadmap and legal restrictions on face coverings and social distancing are lifted.
The first disability we are going to discuss is diabetes. We begin by discussing the different types of diabetes; their similarities and differences and how we live with the disability within our day.
Tim Coolican and Freya Cassia explore the legal and practical options available to providers if a disappointing result is received following an inspection.
Following the launch of the CQC’s new strategy for how it regulates health and social care, many providers will be keen to know more about how the changes might affect them in the future.
EPC’s are not required to be served with a Section 21 notice for assured shorthold tenancies if the tenancy predates October 2015.
A new era of paperless property deals is upon us following the Land Registry’s landmark decision in July 2020 to accept e-signed documents for registration.
Under NHSX, the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement have published the Secretary of State's vision for how data will be used to improve health and care.
Ofsted recently published the findings from its rapid review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges. The review highlighted keys areas of concern and presents clear actions, which are discussed here.
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