Local government has a choice in responding to the new Procurement Act. It can retreat into conservative approaches focused on control and managing risk, or seize the opportunity to think differently and creatively – to test new, more collaborative, community-focused approaches to commissioning as a route to achieving better outcomes at lower cost.

We know from the conversations we have been part of with authorities across the country that the current context for commissioning can feel scary and difficult. Navigating new legislation, working with budgets which continue to be stretched and negotiating the timelines for devolution have all added a layer of additional complexity to the work of commissioners. In spite of this there is a growing number of places across the country demonstrating what is possible.