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REFORM COMMISSION: TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PROCESS

1. Terms of Reference
   
   This review will be very ''future focussed'' and positive in intent.  Given the stretch goal articulated by the leader we have to understand how to make our next step change in terms of our electoral impact and just as importantly how to build the organisation to support it  The main terms are:
   
   
1. Scope
   
   The scope will be broad and inclusive looking at all aspects of activity that are funded directly or indirectly through or by the party.  This is a root and branch review aimed at meeting the challenge of building a coherent and cohesive organisation.  As such the activities included in this remit of the review commission are those managed through Cowley Street by the Federal and English parties and by the English Regions  including all campaign staff who are employed by the party federally, nationally or regionally, POLD, ALDC (especially given the potential activity overlaps here with the proposed Leadership Academy) and other relevant special associated organisations and associated organisations. Also included will be the relationship of the Federal Party with the Scottish and Welsh parties as this is a Federal review.
   
   We should also consider how we best work with party members temporarily or permanently outside Great Britain.
   
   
2. Purpose
   
   Define and agree what the party organisation is there to do and what parts of the party organisation should do it.  Whilst the functions and prerogatives of members are critical the review will  consider how to address the opportunity for the party organisation to develop the role and capability to support a much wider network of sympathisers and supporters. 
   
   
3. Resource Allocation
   
   How does the party raise resources and then allocate them to its core purpose and strategic goals?  How do we become a 21st century voluntary organisation?
   
   
4. Processes
   
   What processes do we need and how should they work to ensure we deliver our goals?
   
   
5. Capabilities
   
   What skills do we need where in order to deliver our goals and how are they best developed and by whom?
   
   
6. Culture
   
   What culture do we need to create within the paid structure and the voluntary organisation of the Party?
   
   
7. Structure
   
   What structures would best deliver the above?
   
   
8. Governance
   
   The purpose of the review is to create much greater coherence and consistency, not a centralised and unresponsive bureaucracy.  It is important for the review therefore to articulate how we make this work deliver the purpose and strategy in the context of the constitution.  At the same time it is the case that there may be changes to the constitution that would make managing the organisation easier and if so these will be part of the recommendations.
   
   
9. Change Management
   
   The review should build an implementation plan and propose stages for the changes outlined, with the objective that this should be achieved over a period of not more than two years.
   
   Previous review work done in the last two or so years will be taken into account.
   
   
2. Process
   
   
1. Once announced we will establish a transparent and simple approach to our review that allows all interested stakeholders to have their say within a short and focussed period of time.  We will open up the review to receive written proposals and opinions from the party, parliamentarians and just as importantly staff themselves.  We will use Liberal Democrat News and email distribution lists as a vehicle to reach as widely as we can and ask for views to be presented in the context of the terms of reference above.
   
   
2. We will put a four week period aside to receive these and indicate a two day period when we would take oral evidence as a follow up some 2-3 weeks later. We will take oral evidence from those who have written in where their contribution requires greater development. We plan to have a session for oral evidence in Cowley Street, one in the north of England and one each in Scotland and Wales subject to receiving sufficient written submissions.
   
   
3. In addition to the wide invitation we will specifically ask a series of member/non-member specialists to submit and follow on with an oral session. 
   
   
4. We want to use the March Conference (Liverpool 8/9 March) ''session'' as a final engagement opportunity where we will air key themes and challenges emerging from our work but not our recommendations.
   
   
5. We will issue the final report in May.