|
|
 The NWCE's sustainable procurement workstream has uncovered some interesting facts about
the way in which council's are tackling sustainability.
A recent survey of local authorities
in the region by the NWCE has revealed that, although around 70% of those
councils plan to implement a flexible framework that will help them manage
their approach towards sustainable procurement, 90% have a resource issue
with this important subject.
The sustainable procurement workstream is now offering free, one-day training
sessions on November 13 and January 29, 2008 that reveal the tools and
techniques of sustainable procurement.
Said Neil Hind, procurement
programme manager: "With the recent announcements on Corporate
Spending Review 2007 and the emphasis it places the importance of
procurement, resources may become even scarcer! The training event
should help put councils in a better position to deal with sustainable
procurement more effectively."
For further information about the
free sustainability training on January 29 click
here.
To read the latest briefing note about the sustainable
procurement workstream click
here.
|
 A TWO-YEAR long project which highlighted potential
savings of at least £1.54million for councils in the north west has ended.
Following work by the audit commission, Voca
was commissioned by CLG to examine the revenues and benefits systems of
local authorities across the country to see where there was potential for
savings.
They have revealed that there is considerable scope for
councils to make savings on council tax collections, among other areas.
The final report from Voca has now
been completed and issued to each of the relevant contacts in north west councils.
For a copy of the report, contact your representative
directly. If you do not know who that is, contact Rahela at the NWCE on
0161 342 4080 for further assistance.
|
|
 THE NWCE has responded to the concerns of many councils about new BT billing practices.
It has met with BT
and now arranged to go through the new arrangements and discuss ways that
councils can reduce their BT expenditure and administration.
Neil Hind, NWCE
Project Manager, said: "Even if councils have moved their telecoms
provision they will still have many BT lines. These can be migrated
to lower OGC.buyingsolutions rates."
The session with BT
will be on November 23 at Wigan Investment
Centre. To
find out more click
here.
|
 THE NWCE has spotted that there there
may be an opportunity for councils to collaborate on buying bus shelters.
Does your local authority have an open framework for the
supply of bus shelters or are there plans to procure them over the next 12
months? If so, please contact neil.hind@hind.co.uk
|
 A GUIDE to help councils unlock savings has been produced by
the Regional Centre of Excellence's Procurement Programme. Under
Pressure to Squeeze the Most Out of Every Penny showcases a fresh range of
products and services that are being launched over the coming months.
Download the brochure here.
|
 THIS year's mid-year efficiency statement update has been made
easier for councils to complete.
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have recognised
that councils, collectively, have exceeded the SR04 target for the sector
already and have simplified the reporting procedure to reduce the reporting
requirements on councils.
A word template is available to download here.
|
 A NEW web page from info4local.gov.uk offers quick
and easy access to information from across government on the 2007
pre-budget report and the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review. It
will continue to be updated regularly as information becomes available.
Click here to view.
|
Know
your placements
cut
costs without cutting corners
 SOCIAL care experts in the north west can get the low-down on a new
national care costing tool for adult social care.
The NWCE is holding
two, half-day events on October 30, at the Birchwood Centre, Warrington,
that will explain to delegates how the toolkit is being developed, how it
will work and the potential savings it can bring for councils buying
placements.
The north west project board, along with
other similar regional project boards, is being developed by a north west project
board and is due to be launched in March 2008.
Places at the event will be strictly limited to two representatives from
each local authority - attendance will enable authorities to sign up
for the pilot phase.
View the event
flyer or click
here to book your place.
|
Transforming
service delivery
 THE NWCE has an exclusive offer for council representatives
who wish to know more about the impact of CSR07.
The NWCE's regional director Colin Cram is
speaking at the Transforming Service Delivery Conference to be held at the
QEII Conference Centre on October 30 and two delegates can book a
place at the event for the price of one.
The conference will look at CSR07 and its effect on local government, and
will focus on the recommendations made in the Local Government White Paper
- 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' with regard to re-shaping public
services and partnership working in the challenging financial climate.
The standard rate is £195 plus vat and the 2 for 1 offer is on a first
come, first served basis.
Call Naz Malik on 0161
211 3030 or email naz.malik@govnet.co.uk
|
Telecoms
workshop
November
23, 2007, Wigan Investment Centre
 MANY local authorities are feeling the effect of new billing
and other charges introduced by British Telecom.
This session will
look at how councils can reduce these charges and possibly reduce their
invoice values with BT.
For
more information click here.
|
Sourcing
sustainable solutions - Meet the Buyers
November
21, 2007, Manchester
 THE NWCE will be supporting a sustainable procurement event in
Manchester
in November.
Sourcing Sustainable Solutions -
Meet the Buyers will provide delegates with the opportunity to meet
suppliers who can provide innovative environmental and sustainable products
and services.
A unique feature of the event will be pre-arranged meetings with suppliers,
selected according to delegates' criteria. Delegates can tell the organiser
their specific areas of interest, when booking,
and the information will be used to research and identify suppliers that
match their criteria. On the day of the event, delegates can take part in a
series of private, pre-scheduled meetings with the pre-matched suppliers.
The event on November 21 is free to attend for buyers. For further
information and/or to book a place click here.
|
Sustainable
procurement conference
December
6, 2007, Sefton
Town Hall
 THE NWCE is hosting a sustainable procurement conference to
consider the latest information and discuss the suppliers in this area.
Delegates will also be given the
time for discussion and debate on the way forward for the north west region.
For
more information click here.
|
The
3rd Annual NwEGG Conference
New
Frontiers for Transformation
December
12, 2007, Manchester
Central
 THIS event will focus on the future for the transformation
agenda - a key factor in the Government's plans to reform the public
sector.
Delegates will hear from the government on its latest strategy to modernise
public services through Transformational Change, understand the need to be
customer focused, examine the key role that
technology can play in redesigning services for the benefit of both
citizens and government alike and network to share best practice and seek
answers to the challenges councils face.
There will be six seminars designed to deal with different aspects of
delivering effective change in local government.
For
further information click here.
|
|
North West Centre of
Excellence
Room 5.15, Council
Offices, Wellington Road,
Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6DL
www.nwce.gov.uk
|
|
|
|
|
