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NWCE Spins a New Web!
We have stepped up our commitment to helping local authorities make savings by re-launching our website.
The NWCE site has been redesigned and updated to provide you with more information and clearer navigation, as well as access to our exclusive contracts register 'The Vault'.
The site has been launched following extensive trials and consultation, and provides an overview of the work of the NWCE and a detailed guide to the projects we are supporting.
Each project has its own area on the site, enabling you to see the current progress on each project, participants and results.
A comprehensive events functionality has been created and a news section included, which will be updated on a regular basis. Training opportunities and case studies are also on the site.
The NWCE has evolved rapidly since it was set up in May 2004 and, in that time, our involvement with local authorities in the north west and the support we provide has increased substantially. We recognised the need for a clearer, more informative site that you would want to use more regularly.
We would encourage you to register as a member of our website, to enable you to take advantage of the sites functionality - this is quick and easy, however for your convenience an easy reference guide is available which clearly sets out how to do this.
Please make full use of our new site. Any feedback or queries are most welcome - please send any comments to Beverley Brooks at the NWCE (tel 0161 342 4081).
Procurement News
Procurement Update
Adam Neill, who is working on shared services projects at the NWCE, has been assigned a number of procurement initiatives to manage. Adam can be contacted via adam.neill@tameside.gov.uk. Adam is looking for immediate assistance with two projects:
- The NWCE is collating a list of all eAuctions planned or having recently taken place within the region. If you have any plans or results then please forward them on.
- The NWCE is creating a list of “good prices” within the region. This will be for a varied list of goods and services. If you feel your councils has achieved better than average prices then again please forward details to Adam. This project will allow councils to benchmark their own deals as well as allow councils to promote good deals they have negotiated.
More details of these projects will be made available in the first edition of Procurement News due shortly.
Agreements for Vehicle Hire
Lancashire County Council are looking to utilise an existing contract or framework for the hire of small passenger transport vehicles. If you have or aware of anything that may be of use them please email rahela.parvin@tameside.gov.uk.
General NWCE News
NWCE and NWeGG Welcome new team members
The NWCE and NWeGG are happy to welcome two new staff members. Rahela Parvin (NWCE) and Emily Turner (NWeGG) have recently commenced working with us as Project Support Administrators, bringing with them a wealth of administrative and business support experience. Please join us in welcoming them to our teams!
NWCE Feedback Survey – Last chance to participate
There are only a few days left to leave your feedback on how you perceive us as an organisation, the areas where we are providing benefit to your local authority and those areas where you would like us to direct our focus in the future.
Please take just 5 minutes to complete the survey to provide your feedback and to enable us to tailor our future support to the requirements of local authorities across the North West. The survey can be found here.
Have you opened the Vault?
The Vault is a contracts register that has been created by the North West Centre of Excellence and has the potential to save local authorities in the region £millions.
It provides local councils with a one-stop shop where they can instantly view contracts held by all other councils in the region and spot potential savings opportunities.
The information for every contract listed covers the value of the contract, its size, duration and the name of the supplier. By sharing contract information, councils can use their combined buying power to gain a better deal from suppliers.
To enjoy the benefits The Vault can provide, local authorities need to register and enter their contracts information into The Vault.
National News
CATALYST - the National Publication from the Regional Centres of Excellence
The January 2007edition of CATALYST, the national publication from the Regional Centres of Excellence is now available. View it here.
Extra Support from Procurement Beacons
The “Delivery of quality services through procurement” beacons are offering additional tailored support to help councils learn from their good practice. More information can be found here (IDeA website).
ProductShare - sharing local government knowledge
The ProductShare website holds over 2,000 products from local government initiatives including case studies, business cases, toolkits, websites and lessons learnt. Initiatives covered include the National Projects, LGOL, e-Innovations and regional partnerships.
Launched in 2005, this knowledge sharing resource continues to provide a "one-stop shop" in which to find guidance on how to transform the way services are delivered. A facility to rate products and provide feedback enables users to quickly see if a product is the right one for them.
Areas which may be of particular interest include:
- Documentation from the National eProcurement project
- The capability to search by Gershon category
Further information can be found here.
Audit Commission Tool: Better Understanding of CPA Data
Making the Numbers Work
The Audit Commission has launched a tool to assist authorities better understand CPA data. This tool helps you through the different aspects using simple summaries, uncomplicated explanations and practical examples. Download the information here.
CLG Efficiency News
The 10th edition of the CLG Efficiency News, published by the Communities and Local Government Modernisation and Efficiency Division and the National Procurement Forum in partnership with Pricewaterhouse Coopers is now available. View it here.
Events
eMarketplace Workshop - 11.01.2007
Thank you to those who attended the above workshop, and we hope you found the session useful. Presentations from the event can now be found here, together with the NePP reports on the five main eMarketplaces.
IEMA Accredited Sustainable Procurement Training Session
Rheged, Penrith, Cumbria - 01.02.2007
We are pleased to extend an invitation to an IEMA accredited sustainable procurement training session taking place at Rheged, Penrith, Cumbria, on 1st February. Please also forward this invitation to the appropriate Officers and Members of districts in your area or within your own organisation.
The training session, delivered by the Sustainable Procurement Task Force's Project Manager, Barbara Morton, lasts a full day and would normally cost around £350 per delegate. However, on behalf of funders and partners of Envirolink's Remade Northwest project, we have been able to secure 15 FREE places at this event.
For further information please click here.
Delivering Efficiency and Value for Money -
A 4Ps programme for senior managers in the North West
21.02.2007 - Cheshire Conference Centre, Stockport
22.02.2007 - Holiday Inn South, Chester
The North West Centre of Excellence has organised for 4Ps to deliver two one-day workshops for Senior Managers across the region on 21st and 22nd February 2007.
The programme will enable senior managers across the region to understand the implications of their Annual Efficiency Statements and the new CRA regime's emphasis on value for money. It is designed to help authorities better succeed in delivering efficiencies and evidencing how they provide and manage value for money.
These course are offered at the subsidised rate of £50 plus VAT.
To view full event details and to reserve your place please use the links below:
21.02.2007 - Cheshire Conference Centre, Stockport
22.02.2007 - Holiday Inn South, Chester
Places are limited so please reserve your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.