The Art of the Possible in Public Procurement – 26 October

Supporting Innovative Commissioning to Address Complex Social Issues:

In a context of reducing budgets and increasing needs the same old ways of doing things are not sufficient to meet the current challenges. Local authorities and other public bodies are increasingly looking for new innovative solutions that can save money and produce better outcomes.

Sometimes custom and practice and the interpretation of the regulations can get in the way. Commissioning innovation is complex and while many proposed solutions are legal they can meet resistance or get put in the” too complicated category”.

The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 provide commissioners with a great deal of flexibility to achieve the outcomes they seek for their communities. This event will highlight some of the flexibilities, how to unlock them and the practical things that can be achieved with in the scope of the law – the art of the possible in public procurement.

It is aimed at commissioners in leadership positions that want to:

• know how to respond to innovative propositions from social suppliers that can save money and improve outcomes
• explore the issues of application that go beyond the regulations in commissioning innovation
• learn and network with the PSTA Partners and Alumni of the Commissioning Academy.

With a mix of input from legal experts and examples from social providers, participants will explore the options that the Regulations provide for commissioners and hear about concrete examples of innovative approaches that tackle complex social issues.

The event is hosted by BrowneJacobson and the content is based on the E3M publication: The Art of the Possible in Public Procurement jointly written by public benefit lawyers Bates Wells Braithwaite and the award winning social business, HCT Group. Copies of the publication will be made available to all participants.

If you would like to attend please book now as the number of places is limited. Click here to book.