Home > Newsletters > 13.04.2007

Procurement News

 

Students Blaze a Trail

A placement scheme between Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Liverpool John Moores University is so successful it is now being copied in other areas of the region.

For the last two years, the Fire Service has offered year-long work placements to students from the university’s business school. The students work in the fire service’s purchasing department and carry out a wide range of professional purchasing activities.

Bob Caton, Procurement Director at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, came up with the idea after seeing a similar student placement scheme work in the private sector.  The Merseyside arrangement was so successful that Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and North Shropshire District Council are now doing it with local universities.

The scheme is believed to be unique within the Fire Services and in the public sector and supports the National Procurement Strategy.

Read the full press release here.

Framework of the Week - Wilts Electrical Supplies

NWCE's framework of the week highlights key frameworks or agreements councils may wish to use. Spark into action - this week's framework of the week reveals how the electrical wholesaler, Wilts, has made available two unique offers on extension cables and selected rotation, fan and convection heaters.  Click here for more information.

 

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National News

Risky History Made

History was made on April 1 2007 when the first local authority insurance company established in over a century went live.

After meeting a set of tough criteria laid down by the Financial Services Authority and  the London Authorities’ Mutual Limited, the fruit of two years' hard work is open for business. Read the full press release here.

A Helping Hand

This document , produced by the DCLG, provides guidance for non-excellent authorities in England on the administration and application of the Supporting People programme grant.

 

Perfect Partners 

Read how the London Borough of Lambeth works in partnership with the voluntary sector to add value to the Supporting People programme.  Access the information here.

 

DCLG Efficiency News – Issue 12

Click here to view the 12th edition of DCLG Efficiency News.  The newsletter is produced for local authorities and others with an interest in issues around the Efficiency Review. 

POPPI Power

The Care Services Efficiency Delivery programme has launched POPPI, a web-based, demand forecasting and capacity planning system for adult social care, on time, on budget and free to all councils.  To see   what   councils   have   said   POPPI can   do   go to www.csed.csip.org.uk/poppicomment.html

POPPI has been developed by 23 councils in England, and saves time and effort collating information.  It also gives a consistent starting point for strategic needs assessment.  Register as a user now on www.poppi.org.uk 

How Green are You?

The European Commission has updated the Green Public Procurement web-portal and given it a more user-friendly structure and layout.  The site has information on European and international policy, legal issues and related studies, together with practical guidance, best practice examples, tender specifications, links to environmental databases and funding opportunities.  Visit the site at:  http://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/index_en.htm

 

LGA Pops the Question

The Local Government Association have published a report from an Independent Commission, chaired by Lord Best, looking at the LGA’s relationship with local government.  The aim of the report is to look at the success of the LGA at lobbying central government and its deeper engagement with members. 
Download the report from the LGA website at:  http://www.lga.gov.uk/Publication.asp?lSection=0&id=SX6CE9-A7841733

 

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Events

 

NWeGG
Benefits Realisation Management
A Vehicle for Transformational Change 
April 17 2007

Gerald Bradley, Sigma UK and benefits realisation industry guru, recently spoke at the Project and Programme Managers group and NWeGG was then asked by members to run a training day on Sigma UK's techniques. 

The cost for this training is heavily discounted from the £550 standard industry charge to £260.00 + VAT.

NWeGG can only offer 16 places and have received much interest already so please register early to avoid disappointment.  For further information visit www.nwegg.org.uk.

Due to the limited number of places, please be aware that once you have registered your interest to attend you can ask to be removed from the list of registrants for the course up to two calendar weeks before the course is held without charge.

For further information contact Catherine O'Neill at NWeGG.

Postal Project Meeting
April 25 2007
Woodlands Conference Centre, Chorley

The agenda for the next meeting of the postal project should include:

•  An update from Warrington Council on progress to date.
• An update from OGC buying solutions on the latest situation with suppliers.
• A procurement decision on the way forward.

For further information and to confirm attendance please visit  http://www.nwce.gov.uk/view_event.php?id=74

PROCUREMENT POWER,
May 1 2007, Derby
"Cut Costs while Benefitting the Community"

Procurement Power is a national workshop and networking event for heads of service and procurement professionals in the public sector. The workshop is based on practical evidence and hands-on exploration of how public bodies across the UK are delivering efficiency while benefiting the economy and the environment.

The event will feature special sessions on how public bodies in the UK are:

• Saving money while procuring sustainably
• Promoting regeneration through procurement
• Adapting and replicating good practice

The event will be 11am-3pm in Derby, hosted by nef (the new economics foundation), as part of their Local Alchemy programme.

To view the workshop invite, please click here, or to register for the event, please contact Justin Sacks - justin.sacks@k2a.cc or 07753 408 692.

 
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 programm and a full agenda will be made available shortly.  Click here for event details.

  

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.
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

Get Hammered at Bargain Hunt II

The second Bargain Hunt event is now confirmed and will take place 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.  More details will be added soon but places will be limited so book now to avoid disappointment! (Click here to book) or contact Rahela Parvin at the NWCE.