The LGA has joined forces with the CBI to improve the way councils, businesses and charities work together. The two organisations have signed up to a two-year programme, entitled Improving the strategic commissioning of public services. A steering group with representatives from both the LGA and CBI will now look at creating the right incentives for suppliers, linking payment to specified outcomes and whether commissioning should encompass the wider supply chain. The group will meet several times in the coming months, and publish its first report later this year. ‘Local government and business need to work better with each other at every level,' said LGA chairman, Sir Simon Milton. ‘The principles we have set out for commissioning services will help councils, business and the voluntary and community sectors meet the needs of the people they serve.' CBI director general, Richard Lambert, said: ‘Although there are many examples of business and local authorities delivering excellent services for local people, we want to see more. ‘It is through working together more closely that we will achieve this, and suppliers, clients and, most importantly, the public will benefit.'
