THE BUSINESS REVIEW FOR PROCUREMENT LEADERS
Recent research into public-private partnerships (PPPs) in UK local government suggests what many contract managers have suspected for years - negotiating hefty outsourcing contracts at great cost in time and legal fees does not guarantee success. The research indicates that partnerships run on trust and governed by lighter contract documents work better.
Government-promoted PPPs in frontline services such as social care, education and waste management have presented fertile opportunities for the private sector to complement those in back-office, financial and support activities such as IT. Some have enabled significant and accelerated investment in public infrastructure.
The research examined six partnerships from both sides and the forces that act to bring them together (eg, community pressure for better services) or pull them apart (eg, a clash of cultures). It identifies the practices and behaviours that influence the success of partnerships as measured against expectations.
From this, 10 practical recommendations are made, aimed at increasing the likelihood of success, and which are capable of implementation by council procurement teams and their private-sector partners.
