Kingston Community Commissioning Consortium What it does, what it doesn’t do, what it means for all of us? Presentation by Hilary Garner, CEO, Kingston Voluntary Action

Kingston Community Commissioning Consortium (KCCC), what it is? Innovative – the consortium is a ground-breaking initiative to maximise the potential for Kingston Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations to secure commissioned contracts. Informative – the consortium will, in conjunction with the Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy website, be the first port of call for commissioning information and contract opportunities. Impact – the consortium will help ensure that the changing landscape is to the advantage of VCS groups in Kingston. Informal – the consortium will have no legal standing, it will however operate through the mechanisms set out in the Membership Prospectus and be influenced by an over-riding ethos. Instant – the consortium will be in place and operating in April 2015, hitting the ground running.

KCCC, what it is not? The consortium will not bid for contracts, with no legal structure that would be inappropriate, instead will support organisations in the sector in coming together, where applicable, to bid for contracts. The consortium will not charge for membership, however members might need to pay others for professional advice outside the remit of the Commissioning Opportunities Team (COT). The consortium is not an arm of the Commissioners, but will be holding Commissioners to account on how they put out tender information and how they commission in general. The consortium is not an alternative version of an infrastructure organisation, KVA provides the day to day assistance but members, via the advisory board, are the direction shapers.

KCCC, the over-arching and the specialist. The consortium will cover all of the borough of Kingston and be inclusive to all relevant voluntary and community organisations that pass the two stage criteria. The first stage will be the Associate Membership - Universal Criteria (see Membership Prospectus), membership will be delayed for those organisations that can’t meet those 5 elements (but support given to help achieve this level). The second stage is the Full Membership - Contract-Readiness Criteria and on completion of that stage organisations become eligible for Advisory Board. Informal sub-groups, based around similar operational areas of interest, will be supported by the KCCC and COT, allowing closer working. Children's and Young Peoples already in place. The Advisory Board will have a majority of full members, with a limit of one person from any one organisation.

KCCC and Commissioners, critical friend. The consortium will make representations to Commissioners to ensure consistent and coherent standards across the board on tenders and process. The consortium will feed-back from members on the reality of the commissioning cycle and related issues, ensuring any problems are resolved quickly and lessons learnt. The consortium will demand that a joint approach is under-taken by all Commissioners to such issues as time-scales, advertising of opportunities, e-tendering and application feed-back, ensuring minimum standards. The consortium will expect Commissioners to have the track-record and presence of KCCC members always in mind when setting eligibility criteria for tenders and contracts. The consortium will campaign to ensure the cost of tendering to run services is proportionate and payments for services are regular and correct.

KCCC operating values Members will need to have regard to not just their own interests but those of the other members and the sector in general. Open, honest, transparent behaviour in all consortium affairs is vital, the COT and the advisory board will be key to ensuring this. Collaboratively working together is key, not only in bringing together partnerships to bid for contracts but also in enhancing the capacity of individual members. An over-riding ethos is that of the needs of clients and service-users are effectively met through the success of partnerships in securing contracts. Where KCCC members find themselves competing with each other they must operate in an open and professional manner, mindful of consortium principles and ethos.

KCCC the benefits Self and quality improvement – members will see capacity and range of activities grow over time. Increase competitiveness in a changing landscape – members should see a significant increase in their prospects for securing contracts. Increase awareness and knowledge - membership of KCCC will allow and constant feed of experiences and skills to benefit all. Provide marketing and profile opportunities – the consortium will be looking constantly to promote the services secured through tendering to showcase the sector. Increase joint working, joint delivery and long standing partnership arrangements and provide the template by which the sector operates for years to come.

KCCC, meet the COT Hilary Garner, CEO, KVA. Michael Green, Community Projects Manager. Patricia Turner – Health and Social Care Manager. Judith Naylor – Children's and Young Peoples Development Manager. Michael will be your first port of contact on communityhub@kva.org.uk or 020 8255 3335