Author Archives: John Tizard

John Tizard: Don’t avoid social outcomes in public procurement; these can be EU-compliant

Last week when attending the European Public Service Awards (EPSA) Final Event and Awards Ceremony in Maastricht, in addition to meeting, talking with and learning from the many award winners from across Europe it was very encouraging to hear a senior EU Commission official speak about the need to address social outcomes through public procurement.… Read More...

How to appoint a chair or chief executive

In the second of our articles for Trustees Week, our guest columnist says when appointing a chair or a chief executive, charity trustees must be bold, imaginative and true to their mission John TIzard Some of the most important and critical decisions for any charity trustee board are the appointments of chief executive and chair.… Read More...

Paradise Papers – Action Required From Public Sector Procurement And Charities

The recent disclosure and publication of the Paradise Papers, like the Panama Papers before them and many other revelations about tax avoidance and murky tax practices by governments, corporates and individuals should sound a wake-up call to both charities and those in the public sector engaged in procurement. I have long argued, as have many… Read More...

John Tizard: UK public procurement should learn from India and put ‘place’ first

Many local authorities are rightly keen to use their local procurement spending to boost their local economies and communities. While some are making good progress, it is perplexing to find others being hesitant, not least because (incorrectly) they are worried that such action may not be compliant with UK and EU regulations. I have often… Read More...

Charity Commission chair should be a critical friend to the sector

A recruitment process is currently under way to appoint a new chair of the regulator. Whoever is recruited, they must be a champion of the sector, writes our guest columnist. The outgoing chair of the Charity Commission, William Shawcross, has attracted much attention and strong challenge within the charity sector and beyond during his tenure.… Read More...

Local Government Should Be At The Heart Of Our Democracy – It Must Be Defended And Strengthened

If any authors were going to make the case for local government as a crucial element in the democratic viability of our unitary state and equally as crucial to local social, economic and environmental welfare it would be Professors George Jones, John Stewart and Steve Leach. Their new book ‘Centralisation, Devolution and the Future of… Read More...

Public service outsourcing must promote whistleblowing

Last week the Bath Chronicle reported that Virgin Care asked staff not to report their safety concerns to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or other regulators. If this is the case, it is wrong and unacceptable. Registered managers in health and social care have a legal obligation to report issues to the CQC if they… Read More...

Parish, Town And Community Councils Should Be Central To Localism

Following the recent annual conference of the National Association of Local Councils, and subsequent reporting in the media and on social media, I have been rightly reminded of the important (if not critical) contribution to our democratic life and well-being that parish, town and community councils can make. Across the country, these councils and their… Read More...

John Tizard: We don’t need Brexit to improve public procurement

The English Local Government Association (LGA) has called on the Government to reform public procurement regulations if Brexit occurs. It is arguing that the Government should introduce a more efficient UK system of regulating how the public sector, and in particular local authorities, procure goods and services if and when the UK leaves the European… Read More...

Schools Are Local And Should Be Locally Accountable

Over the summer there are have been many media articles and political interventions raising questions about the growth and increasing power of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), and their lack of accountability to parents and local communities. Revelations about senior MAT staff salaries – when teachers are facing real cuts in their pay -and the free movement… Read More...