Blog post: Keep it Local (by Rob Fountain)
Rob Fountain, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance, explains how the principles of Keep It Local could make public money go further by keeping it in our communities.
We know that local VCSE organisations can contribute a huge amount to the delivery of statutory services. We also know that in recent years a number of local authority tenders have been awarded to out of area providers. We have been conducting an enquiry into what is behind this and how we ensure local organisations have a fair opportunity to deliver on public sector commissioning opportunities.
A detailed report is currently being finalised that explores the experience of local organisations and identifies how current commissioning practices are impacting the ability of local VCSE providers to secure work they are well placed to deliver.
The legal landscape of procurement is a factor, but we believe there is still room for more creative consideration around how public money can work harder for our local communities by supporting the work of Gloucestershire-rooted organisations.
In October, we began to make this case to the County Council at a well-attended round table discussion, which brought together senior leaders from Gloucestershire County Council and representatives from the VCSE Strategic Partnership (Forest Voluntary Action Forum, Gloucestershire Gateway Partnership, Inclusion Gloucestershire).
The event focused on making the case for a ‘Keep It Local’ approach - an agenda that champions the role of local organisations in delivering public services and building community resilience.
The round table highlighted the economic and social benefits of investing in local VCSE organisations. The case was made that money spent with local organisations stays in the county and provides vital funding for the work of VCSE organisations. Examples were shared of how additional funding has been leveraged when a contract sits with a local VCSE provider.
Participants also discussed how current procurement practices often disadvantage smaller, community-rooted organisations, despite their ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective services and build trust with local residents.
There was strong engagement from council leaders, including the Deputy CEO and Directors of Adults and Children’s Services and new Head of Procurement, who expressed interest in exploring how other areas have successfully adopted a ‘local first’ commissioning strategy.
Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council were cited as examples of local authorities that have formally committed to the Keep It Local principles. These principles include coordinating services at a neighbourhood level, increasing local spend, and commissioning collaboratively to make services “local by default.”
The discussion also addressed challenges around procurement rules, impending local government reorganisation, and capacity. It was noted that the Council is bound by legislation, but it was recognised that with more creative and community-focused commissioning, and the right support, that local organisations are well placed to deliver more.
Key actions from the round table include:
Exploring how social value is measured in tenders and how this can better reflect the contribution of local VCSE organisations.
Investigating how other councils have embedded ‘Keep It Local’ principles into their commissioning frameworks.
Considering a formal commitment to these principles within Gloucestershire.
A follow-up meeting with senior council leaders is planned. The final report will provide further detail on these discussions and outline recommendations for next steps and is expected to be published in early 2026.
For more information, contact rob.fountain@glosalliance.org.uk