http://www.european-services-strategy.org.uk/outsourcing-library/procurement-and-commissioning-best-practice/ Policy guidance and best practice approach to procurement and commissioning. en Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit 2005-04-26T12:09:52Z European Services Strategy Unit, Duagh, Camp, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. Dexter Whitfield procurement, commissioning, market testing, offshoring, outsourcing, evaluation, options appraisal, PPP, PFI, affordability, refinancing, democratic accountability, risk, public sector, reconfiguring services, public services, best value, privatisation, value for money, public investment, procurement, facilities management, in-house services, two-tier workforce, public assets, corporate welfare, public goods, transaction costs, public sector comparator, public private partnerships, private finance, private finance initiative, daily 1 2001-04-13T12:00Z http://www.european-services-strategy.org.uk/outsourcing-library/procurement-and-commissioning-best-practice/future-shape-of-the-council-the-flaws-in-barne/ A review of the London Borough of Barnet Council’s commissioning and procurement policies. The Future Shape of the Council project is likely to consider large-scale outsourcing/privatisation to ‘shrink the council’, yet there are serious failings and shortcomings in procurement which make its policies and practice ‘not fit for purpose’. This could expose the Council to serious financial and service risks. The report is published by UNISON, GMB, NUT and NASUWT and makes a series of recommendations on commissioning and procurement, employment options and contract management and monitoring. Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit en Dexter Whitfield 2008-12-04T11:12:38Z procurement, commissioning, outsourcing, marketisation, employment options, TUPE Plus, privatisation, strategic council, public management, contract culture, Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit http://www.european-services-strategy.org.uk/outsourcing-library/procurement-and-commissioning-best-practice/management-consultants-a-best-value-handbook/ This handbook provides a comprehensive critique of the use of management consultancy and arguments against the uncritical use of external advice. It identifies important issues which must be taken account of in any decision to use management consultants, and provides a practical guide to the procurement process and engaging management consultants for local authorities, health bodies, public bodies, trade unions and community organisations. Centre for Public Services (1999). Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit en Dexter Whitfield 2008-03-28T19:19:52Z procurement, commissioning, market testing, offshoring, outsourcing, evaluation, options appraisal, PPP, PFI, affordability, refinancing, democratic accountability, risk, public sector, reconfiguring services, public services, best value, privatisation, value for money, public investment, procurement, facilities management, in-house services, two-tier workforce, public assets, corporate welfare, public goods, transaction costs, public sector comparator, public private partnerships, private finance, private finance initiative, Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit http://www.european-services-strategy.org.uk/outsourcing-library/procurement-and-commissioning-best-practice/procurement-and-commissioning-toolkit-for-loca/ New Commissioning and Procurement Toolkit for UNISON Northern (April 2008). It is divided into 11 parts covering: The Political Economy of Commissioning and Procurement, Developing a Branch strategy, Reviewing Services, Efficiency reviews, Shared Services Projects, Options Appraisal, The case for in-house provision, Capital works and BSF/PFI/PPP projects, Procurement and commissioning process, Protecting jobs, terms and conditions and Community and social benefits from procurement. Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit en Dexter Whitfield 2008-03-28T19:15:51Z procurement, commissioning, market testing, offshoring, outsourcing, evaluation, options appraisal, PPP, PFI, affordability, refinancing, democratic accountability, risk, public sector, reconfiguring services, public services, best value, privatisation, value for money, public investment, procurement, facilities management, in-house services, two-tier workforce, public assets, corporate welfare, public goods, transaction costs, public sector comparator, public private partnerships, private finance, private finance initiative, Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit http://www.european-services-strategy.org.uk/outsourcing-library/procurement-and-commissioning-best-practice/essu-research-report-no-2-options-appraisal-cr/ This ESSU Research Report focuses on appraisal criteria, which are a fundamental part of the options appraisal process. It outlines out the key stages in the appraisal process. As options appraisal becomes a more common tool in public management there is evidence that ‘appraisal bias’ is leading to pre-selected options and construction of particular outcomes by the selective use of evidence and narrow evaluation criteria. Yet a rigorous and investigative approach can be very productive, directing attention to longer-term needs rather than short- term interests. The Options Appraisal Criteria Matrix has twelve sections, which cover the full range of issues that should be taken into account in appraising options (June 2007). Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit en Dexter Whitfield 2008-03-28T19:13:56Z procurement, commissioning, market testing, offshoring, outsourcing, evaluation, options appraisal, PPP, PFI, affordability, refinancing, democratic accountability, risk, public sector, reconfiguring services, public services, best value, privatisation, value for money, public investment, procurement, facilities management, in-house services, two-tier workforce, public assets, corporate welfare, public goods, transaction costs, public sector comparator, public private partnerships, private finance, private finance initiative, Copyright © 1998-2008 European Services Strategy Unit