Opportunities – an invitation to shape Winchester’s commissioning future
Winchester City Council and Winchester Area Community Action are inviting local businesses, public sector colleagues and voluntary organisations to a workshop to help design a new commissioning process for the Winchester District.
The workshop takes place on Monday 28 February in the newly refurbished Bapsy Hall at Winchester Guildhall in Broadway, Winchester from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
Commissioning is about getting things done - whether delivering services, running facilities or managing projects - to improve the lives of those that live and work in the Winchester District. In future, there will be opportunities for voluntary, public and private sector organisations to bid for funds for work which will deliver the priorities local people have identified in the Winchester District Sustainable Community Strategy.
The City Council is keen to involve a wide range of people in designing the commissioning system to ensure that it is transparent, fair and easy to use. Workshop participants will be asked to consider all aspects of the process, from attracting the best ideas for new projects and promoting new commissions, to evaluating bids and managing contracts.
Anyone with an interest in supplying goods or services for local people is invited to attend the workshop, particularly representatives of the following organisations based in the Winchester District: a business (big or small), a voluntary organisation or charity, a cultural or sports group, a parish council or a public service.
Cllr Kelsie Learney, Leader of Winchester City Council, said “The commissioning approach can lead to imaginative and cost-effective solutions for local problems. It creates opportunities to work with a wider range of partners to reduce duplication of resources and help fill gaps in current service provision. We are committed to providing a ‘level playing field’ in designing our bidding process, to ensure that all types of organisations can get involved and help us get things done for local people in ways we may not have thought of before.”
Paul Williams, Chief Executive of Winchester Area Community Action (WACA), added “WACA is supporting this event as we want to help our diverse and vibrant voluntary and community organisations to develop new and innovative solutions to help our communities thrive”.
For further information about the workshop, or to book your space, contact Alison Woods, Commissioning Support Manager, at Winchester City Council on 01962 848 347 or email awoods@winchester.gov.uk. If you can’t make the workshop date, please send us your thoughts and ideas.