Research and reports

Below are some research reports on public service delivery and the impact of commissioning and procurement on third sector organisations across England.

If there is some research you think would be useful sharing please contact lcpu and we can list it here.


Briefing Paper for Sir Clive Booth, UK Chair of the Big Lottery Fund


- Derbyshire Contracts Advice Network (DCAN), October 2009

Here is paper produced by DCAN, a partnership of infrastructure organisations across Derbyshire lead by Chesterfield Links. DCAN are delivering a BASIS support programme on commissioning, procurement and contracts. This paper gives a summary after 2 years of the project of commissioning and the impact on the third sector in Derbyshire.


Commissioning and the Third Sector


- BVSC, October 2009

A study of the way in which third sector organisations are responding to the challenges and opportunities presented by new commissioning guidelines.
  • Download "Commissioning and the Third Sector" via the BVSC website.


Mapping local infrastructure organisations' commissioning and procurement activity

- NAVCA's Local Commissioning and Procurement Unit, 2009

A mapping survey was carried out between October and December 2008 to find out what activities LIOs were involved in and the resources they were using to carry out this work.

Equalities and Procurement Survey 2008

- The EHRC, the IDeA, the LGA and the Society of Procurement Officers in local government (SOPO), June 2009

Several pieces of research looking at how local authorities incorporate public sector equalities duties into different stages of the procurement process. All pieces can be downloaded via the LGA website.



Commissioning Excellence: Securing Innovation and Value from London's Voluntary Sector

- London Health Forum, December 2008

Looks at the quality of the commissioning relationship, particularly between the statutory and voluntary sectors in London. Includes recommendations for both commissioners and third sector providers.

Commissioning: Possible, Greater Manchester VCS Organisations' Experiences in Public Sector Commissioning

- GMCVO, November 2008

Provides an insight into the experiences of third sector organisations in Greater Manchester with public sector commissioning and makes recommendations for improving voluntary and community sector organisations' chances to contribute to health in Greater Manchester


Commissioning outcomes and recovery

- London borough of Camden, October 2008

Information from Camden Council's Invest to Save project with nef and Voluntary Action Camden focusing on commissioning outcomes.


Contracts, Cuts and closures: an uncertain future for South West Social Purpose Organisations

- South West Forum, October 2008

Research from the South West into the funding climate, demand for services and impact on end users.


The Tender Subject of Tendering


- Oxfordshire Community & Voluntary Action, August 2008

Research into the effects of competitive tendering on the service delivery of the voluntary sector in Oxfordshire.



Who Delivers Services? A study of involvement in and attitudes to public service delivery by the Voluntary and Community Sector in the North West of England

- Centre for Local Governance at the University of Manchester, April 2008

The results from a survey in late 2007 in the North West on the make up of the regional third sector and involvement in public service delivery.


Common Themes on Commissioning the VCS in Selected Local Authorities in Greater London

- London Councils, May 2007

This report looks at the impact of commissioning voluntary and community groups to provide public services in six areas within London. It focuses on developments in health and social care and highlights examples of good practice and common themes.