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Procurement News
Where does the money go?
The NWCE and NWIN is funding research into how third party spend is managed and to develop options for how it can be improved.
As well as examining overall procurement, collaborative initiatives, efficiency and value for money the research will also examine other factors such as sustainability, innovation and support for local business.
Clare Poulter is the project manager and David Parr, chief executive of Halton Borough council will be the project sponsor.
The research and development phase will run from now until the end of August and Clare will be approaching people in the region for fact finding and for consultation on ideas as they develop.
The project will be set up soon on the NWCE website. For further information contact Clare Poulter.
Pleasing Policy
The OGC Policy team gave a presentation to a number of Lancashire Authorities recently, a copy of which can be found here.
A number of useful guides were also discussed. The links to the OGC main page for "Procurement policy and the application of the EU rules" can be found here. Or click here for the Cabinet Office site for the shared services guidance.
The team will also be presenting at Bargain Hunt II iand will be available for questions.
Procurement Prowess in the north west
Joanne Leah of Allerdale Borough Council, has been shortlisted as Young Procurement Professional in the 2007 Public Procurement Awards. Joanne has been involved in many of the NWCE's projects, particularly in the Cumbria region. The shortlist also includes other north west councils - Manchester Corporate Technical Services Group has been shortlisted in the category of Team Excellence, and Blue Fountain Systems, with Stockport MBC, are finalists in the category of Small Supplier Innovation.
For further information and details of all finalists click here.
Framework of the Week - printing services
The NWCE's framework of the week highlights key frameworks or agreements councils can use. Looking for the blueprint for success? This week's framework of the week can help councils to save money on printing services. Click here for further details.
NWeGG News
Have you Heard it through the Grapevine?
The latest edition of NWeGG's newsletter 'Grapevine' can be viewed here. This issue includes a review of 2006-7, what’s in store for 2007-8, NWeGG events, updates on NWeGG's projects, national news and details of the new NWeGG website.
National News
Take Advantage of an Expert
The NWCE's regional director, Colin Cram is taking part in one of the free advice sessions from the Regional Centres of Excellence.
He will be one of a team of experts taking part in an 'ask the experts' slot at the procurement solutions for the public sector event at Earls Court on June 13.
With local authorities facing a tough financial settlement for the next few years and the need to deliver the provisions of the Local Government White Paper, councils will need to pinpoint the very best advice available.
Expert advice on making efficiencies in major areas of spending will cover adult care, goods and services, construction and waste.
To book your session click here or view the events brochure.
Blueprint up for Discussion
Councils are being asked for their views on the measures set out in the sustainable procurement action plan for local government which has just been published for consultation.
The Local Authority Group, the body responsible for drafting the plan, is inviting councils to comment by the end of June.
The group was convened at the request of Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Association. The process is being supported by the Regional Centres of Excellence and the Improvement and Development Agency.
Councils are also being invited to submit good practice case studies for possible inclusion in the final report, which is due to be published later in the summer.
Comments on the draft action plan should be sent to either David Wright at davidwright@gateshead.gov.uk or Lee Digings at lee.digings@idea.gov.uk by no later than June 30 2007.
Vision of Excellence
Social Care Minister Ivan Lewis today announced a five-point plan to put excellence at the heart of the government's vision for Twenty First Century social care. Read more here.
Read All About It
The May 2007 issue of the Department for Education and Skills Centre for Procurement Performance Newsletter is now available, and can be downloaded here.
Vote for eDemocracy
The new LocalGovTV programme DVD eDemocracy - Opportunities to improve policies and service design with citizen engagement - is now available - free. This programme is designed for local authorities and public bodies who want to involve citizens more in the democratic and consultation processes.
To request your free copy of the eDemocracy programme DVD, please register at: www.egovtv.tv/home.asp
Events
Sustainability Starts Here
The first meeting of the NWCE's Sustainable Procurement has been arranged for May 14 2007 at 10am at Wigan Investment Centre. This meeting will be the first to agree the scope and workplan for the NWCE sustainable procurement programme and a full agenda will be made available shortly. Click here for event details.
Dive into the Learning Pool
Learning Pool - the public sector learning exchange – is staging a seminar for local authorities who are considering introducing e-learning for their staff.
The event at the University of Leeds on May 17 will include speakers who are learning and development experts from the local authority community, all of whom are making innovative use of e-learning to help their councils improve how they do things.
After lunch, there’ll be demonstrations of e-learning examples - Steve Day of Rotherham and John Roughley of Wigan, two of the Learning Pool’s most active subscribers, will demonstrate what they have achieved with the Learning Pool authoring tool.
There will also be a sneak preview of the new Learning Management System being launched on June 1 and the new portal for interactive Elected Member development.
For more details and to register go to the Learning Pool Website or contact ben@learningpool.co.uk
Swap Shop
The dates for the next two corporate and transactional shared services Network Groups are Tuesday May 15 in Sheffield and Thursday May 17 in London. Get Hammered at Bargain Hunt II
Run by 4Ps, the Network Group allows participants to meet people with an interest in corporate and transactional shared services and to discuss projects they are working on. It offers a great chance to swap information and receive professional guidance from experts. The agenda and speakers will be confirmed in the joining notes that will be released shortly. For more details, please contact lynsey.whitmarsh@4ps.gov.uk
There are a few places still available at the second Bargain Hunt event on May 21 2007 at Manchester Conference Centre at Manchester Central (formerly G-MEX). The NWCE will show delegates how to share in more than £100m worth of savings on areas such as fuel, consultancy fees and ICT.
Book now to avoid disappointment!
The final agenda and workshop schedule is now available and can be viewed here.
Click here to book or contact Rahela Parvin at the NWCE.
What's in it For Us?
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 you 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
For many councils across England, a consistent issue is participation in the LGA Equality Standards, particularly the development of procedures for equality and diversity within procurement. Participation requires the establishment of a pre-qualification tool to ensure contractors and partners have, and implement, equal opportunities within service delivery and employment.
Groups from across the region have considered this issue and have arranged a joint conference to take place in Knowsley on June 25 2007.
For further information about the event and how to book your place click here.
On with the Showcase!
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.