Commissioning is a process that public sector organisations use to plan, procure, deliver and evaluate services for local residents

There is now a general trend for public bodies (such as local councils and NHS clinical commissioning groups) to move away from grant-giving to the awarding of contracts through competitive processes.

There has also been a significant trend since the 1980s for public bodies to commission rather than deliver public services in-house themselves. Providers of services can be private-sector companies, charities or social enterprises.

On 9th September Julian Blake, from leading public benefit law firm, Stone King will lead a debate on how we can promote innovation in commissioning and challenge misconceptions. Julian is a champion of partnerships between suppliers, commissioners, investors and communities and co-authored “The Art of the Possible in Public Procurement”, as cited in UK Central and Local Government guidance.