Procurement News

Framework of the Week - Agency Staffing

This week’s framework of the week is ‘Agency Staffing’.  The framework was formed by 14 East Midlands authorities to provide a temporary staffing solution to fulfil a range of staffing requirements.  Key benefits include cashable and non-cashable cost savings, improvements to the recruitment process and enhanced compliance with legislative and policy requirements.
Read more here or click here to read the news release on this framework.

Earth Song

The NWCE wants to start a stream of work around sustainable procurement.  If you are currently undertaking any work in this area, or would like to get involved, please email neil.hind@hind.co.uk

Waste Management News

A Stinking Good Idea

The NWCE is promoting free workshops that look at the environmental and financial benefits of using compost. The workshops delivered by Envirolink are aimed specifically at the sports turf sector and landscape architects, grounds maintenance, estates management and the construction industries. The workshops will be held in March at several venues in the region. For further information  view the flyers - landscapes; sports.

General News

Share and Share Alike 

A free knowledge sharing resource is available to local authorities.

Productshare has been developed by West Sussex County Council and funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government. It holds over 2,000 products from local government initiatives including case studies, business cases, toolkits, websites and lessons learned. Visit www.productshare.org.uk for more information.

EVENTS

Creating a Business Case for eMarketplaces - Workshop
23 February 2007 - Wigan Investment Centre

The NWCE is holding a workshop to help councils create a business case for eMarketplaces. At the workshop, the participating councils will complete a business case which will assess the case for the implementation of a marketplace in the councils.

Places are limited so please book as soon as possible by clicking here.  If you have any queries  contact us.

IEMA Accredited Sustainable Procurement Training Sessions
22 February - Mere Golf and Country Club, Mere, Cheshire OR
6 March - The Foresight Centre, 1 Brownlow Street, Liverpool

There are 15 free places available for these training sessions which are being delivered by the Sustainable Procurement Task Force's Project Manager, Barbara Morton.  Each session lasts a full day and costs around £350 per delegate.

The course is aimed at people who have to look at the impact of their supply chain on the environment and is ideal for those who wish to gain the knowledge and confidence to tackle sustainability issues in their organisation's supply chain.

Please click here for further information and details of how to reserve your place.

NWeGG Spring Full Members Meeting 8 March 2007, Queens Hotel, Chester

Join the pack at the Queens Hotel in Chester for the NWEGG Spring Full Members Meeting.

NWeGG will be outlining the national picture and the NWEGG programme for 2007-8.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Peter Blair, DCLG, on the National Process Improvement package
• Professor Peter Kawalek, Manchester Business School, on Transformational Thinking
• John Fisher, Chief Executive EverybodyOnline, on getting hard-to-reach groups online
• Phil Swan, NWeGG Programme Manager, on NWeGG's programme for 07-08

Janet Callender, Chief Executive of Tameside MBC and Chair of NWeGG will be chairing the day and speaking on the challenges and opportunities facing councils in light of CSR-07, the LG White Paper and Transformational Government.

Click here to register your attendance as soon as possible.

This event is open to NWeGG member authorities at no charge.  The cost for non NWeGG member council attendees will be £100.00.

Bargain Hunt II

The second Bargain Hunt event is now confirmed and will take place on 21 May 2007 (venue to be confirmed).  This will again consist of a number of exciting and interesting workshops.  More details will be added soon but places will be limited so book your place now to avoid disappointment! (Click here to book)

IT Procurement Workshop 28 March 2007, Woodland Conference Centre, Chorley

The NWCE is holding an IT Procurement Workshop and associated services. This workshop shows you how to get a better deal for your money. For further information or to book your place at the workshop Click here