www.publicinvolvement.org.uk

Commissioning is still largely a confusing case of "them and us" according to the lastest report from Futurebuilders England and the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo).

The "they" is public sector commissioning bodies in health and social services; the "we" are potential 3rd sector suppliers of public services. And the solution? Not simple, but it is all about behaviours and attitudes towards each other and planning for longer term relationships. The lament "They don't know how to buy and we don't know how to sell" expresses the frustration from a 3rd sector perspective.

That's a challenge for both sectors, of course, but without strategic commissioning from the public sector, the 3rd sector is going to find its products and services blighted by shorttermism, a penny pinching approach to contracting and little thought given to quality and customer service.

There is a gulf between the public sector and 3rd sector that has to be closed: the cover graphic says it all.

What do our readers think should happen to help close it and quickly?

The Future of Commissioning: Leadership Challenges, downloadable here.