Yesterday evening (27 November), John Tizard, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Bedfordshire, welcomed over 50 representatives from voluntary and community organisations to discuss his new commissioning and funding strategy, designed to allow services to grow, innovate and diversify to offer a value for money and high-impact solutions for Bedfordshire’s residents in line with the Commissioners Police and Crime Plan.

With the help of services from voluntary and community organisations, local authorities, NHS and others, the PCC is aiming to drive whole-system change to put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.

The PCC said: “The new commissioning and funding strategy is based on a relational approach between my office and the voluntary and community sector. The default will be proportionate yet robust grant funding. Competitive procurement will be used sparingly.

“I regard the voluntary and community organisations as genuine partners not ‘commercial suppliers’. Their views will be sought on policy. They will be respected as the voice of victims and communities. Dialogue will always be maintained at all times.

“I am keen to see more innovation, experimentation, social value, and collaboration between commissioning bodies.”

As part of the new approach, competitive procurement will only be used for large value contracts but in these cases, there will still be dialogue and proportionate processes.

Invited to feed back their views, support and challenge, attendees confirmed that the strategy will be fundamental in fostering a vibrant range of service provision. The biggest opportunities noted were “the power to mentor, innovate, plan ahead and collaborate”, but clarity on the procedural details were requested and discussed during the evening.

Speaking at the event, the PCC explained that his aim is to engage and support local services including supporting them to build capacity and sustainability. There will be opportunities for organisations to submit proposals for funding and to work together to mentor one another.

This exciting new phase of the PCC’s term will be core to the delivery of his missions within the Police and Crime Plan and is representative of the collaborative approach that is essential to drive towards a safer and fairer Bedfordshire for all.

The full strategy can be found on the Bedfordshire PCC website, along with information on funding opportunities. https://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk/commissioned-services/