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Procurement News
Highlighted Event - Utility Management and Sustainability
The procurement programme is holding a session on June 15 focusing on better management of utility services. The session will be of interest to those involved with procurement, energy management and sustainability.
All energy management and sustainability officers should attend.
For further information and to reserve a place see the events section of this newsletter or click here.
Unmissable Training Opportunity
NWCE is offering a development and training programme that aims to demystify the rules and regulations surrounding procurement.
The programme will focus specifically on how the legislation can be interpreted so that local authorities can gain better value for money and meet the growing demand for collaboration and joint working.
The free programme which consists of six, separate modules, will help delegates build up a toolkit of techniques and processes that will provide practical help and terms of reference.
The modules, aimed at legal teams, procurement officers and senior managers, will be held between July 2007 and January 2008 and will be a mixture of prepared information, case studies, discussion and exercises.
Places are limited and are likely to be snapped up quickly. Click here for further information and to reserve your place now.
Portal Power
The NWCE, working with Cumbria CC, has launched a framework for a procurement portal and eSourcing solution. Experienced eprocurement supplier Due North will be providing the portal and the esourcing solution.
The Portal will be funded by the NWCE and there is no charge for any authority wishing to be set up on the portal. eSourcing costs will be paid by each local authority wishing to take up this functionality.
For further information about this project click here.
Postal Progress
Local authorities in the north west have the chance to be in at the start of a new, money-saving postal service.
TNT is launching TNT-it - the UK’s first, web-based post room that is predicted to make large savings on the costs of producing and delivering mail – and it is looking for local authorities in the region to pilot the new system.
Traditionally local authority correspondence has to be printed, collected from the printer, collated, inserted into envelopes and then posted but TNT-it will allow council staff to electronically send their correspondence to TNT via a TNT printer. TNT will then print the correspondence on the appropriate stationery and send the mail.
Large savings can be made due to reductions in paper, envelopes, printing, franking, and reducing the cost of staff in mail production - allowing staff to carry out more value-adding activities.
Councils interested in taking part in the pilot, or want further information, should contact Olly Baker.
Framework of the Week - Floor Cleaners
The NWCE's framework of the week highlights key frameworks or agreements councils can use. Floored by the cost of cleaning? This week's agreement can help councils to save money when buying floor cleaners. Click here for further details.
Health and Social Care News
A Smarter Way to Care
The NWCE’s Health and Social Care Smarter Commissioning group has circulated a draft framework agreement for the provision of specialist social care support for people with physical/learning disabilities.
The draft framework can be viewed by clicking here, or click here to view a briefing note.
This framework should ease the burden on social care providers by creating one set of conditions across authority boundaries. It will also provide authorities with the option of streamlining contract and back office functions.
The NWCE wants views from social care authorities across the north west about this draft framework and how useful this would be for individual authorities.
Please send your views or comments to Tony Kitchin by the end of June 2007.
Cry for Help Corner
Insulation Inspiration Wanted
Carlisle City Council is hoping for a warm response to a new insulation tender. Its energy efficiency advice centre is about to invite tenders for an annual spend of around £0.5million, providing cavity wall insulation to households in the area, and it is looking to use an existing framework agreement. Any council’s who have such a framework agreement for this type of activity or who are aware of such a framework should contact Malcolm Mark at Carlisle Council now.
National News
A National Waste
Environment Secretary David Miliband has published a new strategy for cutting waste. The report says that businesses, individuals, local authorities and the Government all have a role to play in reducing the waste they produce. The minister claims the strategy will play an essential part in the drive to tackle climate change.
Following calls from local authorities, the Government is also launching a public consultation on the removal of the ban on local authorities introducing financial incentives for recycling. Full information can be found on the WIN website or defra website.
Helping Councils to Share
This working paper sets out key findings in relation to the development of shared service arrangment in local authority services. it is part of a wider study of key local government services markets by PricewaterhouseCoopers for Communities and Local Government. The report highlights key challenges and opportunities in relation to shared services within local government, the implications of recent policy proposals, and potential ways forward in developing shared service in the wider context of local government markets. Click here for further information.
Shared Services – Cutting the Red Tape
eGovTV. Shared Services are at the top of the Efficiency and Transformation agenda. This programme reviews progress and approaches to successful shared services projects across the range of citizen-facing and back-office services. The programme includes an expert panel, interviews and case studies examining how authorities and other public bodies are tackling the political, organisational and technical challenges to come together to share services. To watch the programme, click here.
All Aboard the Improvement Express
The Iatest edition of 'Improvement Express', the newsletter from the IDeA is now available. This issue contains information on the importance of culture; adult social care; pioneering new two-tier working; front office shared services and support for new councillors. For this and other news download the newsletter by visiting the IDeA website.
Safe Construction
The HSE have published a report of a study concerned with examining health and safety issues in public sector construction procurement. The broad aim of the research was to provide an evidence-based assessment of how well the public sector in England, Scotland and Wales meets its health and safety obligations in the procurement of construction. Download the full report from the HSE website.
Are You a Winning Team?
The round nine Beacon Scheme application process is now open until 5pm on 29 June 2007. Authorities may apply individually or jointly in up to three of ten themes.
The application process for the Beacon Scheme is online - Download additional information here.
Mind Your Language
IDeA has developed a brand new plain English resource for local government. The resource is designed as an online training centre for all those interested in improving their communications. You can use it to test your language skills, and take an intensive crash course to learn the basics of plain English. There are also advanced tests, discussion pieces and feature articles and case studies.
Download additional information here.
Events
Regional Project and Programme Management Study and Seminar
June 6 2007
Utilities Management and Sustainability
June 15 2007
The procurement programme will be holding a session on June 15 on utility procurement and the better management of such services. The session will be of interest to those involved with procurement, energy management and sustainability. The day will cover: current market /overview of utility contracts including third party case history and advanced procurement options; liquid Fuels including the MOD/OGCbs relationship - making it work and Bio Diesel; bureau service including bill validation, monitoring and targeting, energy management, water management and efficiency; metering Solutions and e-billing.
Please book online at http://www.nwce.gov.uk/view_event.php?id=81. Please send to your energy management and sustainability officers.
What's in it For Us?
June 19 2007
The first shared services stakeholders' meeting takes place on June 19 2007 at Preston Red Rose Hub. These events will be held every three months to provide an update on progress made by the NWCE and NWEGG shared services programme, to introduce specific tools that can assist with shared services and to share the experiences of colleagues who have been through the process.
The agenda includes a whirlwind tour of ICT shared services - Alan Cook of Cumbria CC will take attendees on a whistle stop tour of places that they should visit and places to avoid should they wish to embark on a similar journey.
For further information click here.
Equality and Diversity Framework for Procurement event
June 25 2007, Huyton Suite, Knowsley
A joint conference will take place at the end of June to look at the topical issue of the LGA Equality Standards. The event on June 25 at Knowsley, will examine the development of procedures for equality and diversity within procurement. It will also reveal what’s involved in the pre-qualification toolkit that councils need to use to ensure contractors and partners are implementing equal opportunities within service delivery and employment.
For further information about the event and to book your place click here.
On with the Showcase!
June 28 2007
THE NWCE and seven of its partners are joining forces for a major event at the end of June.
The Local Governance Showcase will take place on June 28, 2007 at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton and will focus on a comprehensive range of topics including efficiency and procurement, public service reform, performance management; collaborative delivery; service transformation and partnership working.
The event will be delivered by the centre, along with North West Improvement Network (NWIN), the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), the Government Office North West (GONW), the Centre for Local Governance (CFLG), the North West Employers Organisation (NWEO), RENEW NW and the North West eGovernment Group (NWeGG).
The event is aimed at a host of local authority representatives – from leading elected members and chief executives to efficiency practitioners and business improvement managers.
For more information about the showcase and its special features, click here.
Negotiation Skills
July 2 2007
A one day “Negotiation Skills” programme is being held on July 2 2007 at Manchester Youth Hostel. This programme will cover a wide range of the skills, tools and tactics needed for effective negotiation, through real example and by encouraging delegates to qurstion their approaches to negotiation. The overall objective is to motivate participants that there are opportunities to practice effective negotiation and to deliver positive benefits for all parties. The tutor will be Dr Brian Farrington, an experienced negotiator in the public sector who has represented central government departments and local authorities in their negotiations with a wide variety of suppliers and contractors.
Don’t miss out. For further information and to book your place click here.
Estates and Property Services Management Workshop
July 19 2007
As part of the NWCE procurement programme an Estates and Property Services Management workshop is being held. Click here for further infornation and to book a place.