North West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership

NWCE STAKEHOLDER EVENT – ‘AHEAD OF THE GAME’ – 14th September

The NWCE's third annual stakeholder event 'Ahead of the Game' was a roaring success.   Presentations and documentation from the day can be viewed by clicking here.   If you attended the event we would be grateful if you would take a few moments to complete a feedback survey.  This will assist us in streamlining future events to meet the needs of our stakeholders to the best possible standard.   Thank you to all those who contributed to this event and helped make it the huge success it was.     BARGAIN HUNT - 3 OCTOBER 2006 - FREE EVENT   View updated information for this event.   This event is rapidly filing up, so if you would like to attend click here or contact Beverley Brooks - email bev.brooks@tameside.gov.uk or telephone 0161 342 4081.  Do not miss out!    

Integrated Transport Units - Good Practice Paper

This good practice paper on integrated transport units is the first of a series published by the North West Centre of Excellence on different aspects of achieving efficiency in local transport.  If you would like a hard copy of this document please email the NWCE.

Publication of AES Backward Looks

Local authorities in England have delivered a further £1.2 billion worth of efficiency gains in 2005/06, on top of the £700 million they achieved in 2004/05, figures published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) show.

Tim Byles, Chair of the Chief Executives Task Force said of these results "This is further evidence that local government is leading the public sector in its drive to meet its efficiency targets. Local government must be congratulated on its success but with the pressure to make even greater efficiency gains set to rise, local authorities cannot take their foot off the pedal. All authorities without exception must actively explore options for shared services, greater collaboration, process re-engineering and smarter procurement"

To see DCLG's press release of these figures click here   
To download the spreadsheet of backward look gains click here 

OGC - THE POLICY THROUGH PROCUREMENT WORKSTREAM UPDATE

The Policy through Procurement workstream in OGC works closely with the SBS* and advises on ways contracting authorities may improve opportunities for small and medium sized businesses in competing for government contracts. This area of work has been informed and developed from the results of the BRTF Programme ,and continues to facilitate the opening of public sector markets to Small & Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), increase competition for Government contracts and therefore achieve better value for money for contracting authorities.   OGC has developed tools and techniques for contracting authorities to use in order to encourage supplier diversity.   * The Small Business Service (SBS) is the lead department for developing the policy on encouraging small businesses to develop and grow in the UK. Read the full article by following this link - http://www.ogc.gov.uk/social_issues_in_purchasing_small_and_medium_sized_enterprises_smes.asp      

CAN YOU HELP?   

The North East Centre of Excellence have advised that a number of local authorities in their region are interested in a joint project of employing a 'pool' of staff that could be available for all authorities when needed, as an alternative to employing expensive agency staff.   IS your local authority involved in a similar project?  If so please contact Julie Brown at the North East Centre of Excellence.         

EVENTS   

BARGAIN HUNT – DON'T MISS OUT - FREE EVENT   

The NWCE has identified in excess of £100m quick win procurement savings within the region. This event will illustrate how local authorities can take advantage of these savings. Further sessions have now been confirmed for the 3^rd October Bargain Hunt session at the Palace Hotel, Manchester. Bargain Hunt should be attended by anybody looking for efficiency savings, involved in decision making or purchasing goods and services for local authorities. Current sessions include: A: Collaborative Procurement B: Savings from Better Contract Management C: Agency Staff - A Vendor Neutral Approach D: Spend Analysis - Using the data to save E: Postal Procurement Efficiencies F: Mobile Telecoms Efficiencies G: Savings from Better Energy Procurement H: Using the OGC.BS Energy Framework I: Making Framework Agreements Work For You J: Fleet Procurement Strategy K: Using Financial Information for Reducing Procurement Costs L: Regional Procurement Cards M: Can having the right connections save you money? N: eInvoicing – Reducing the cost of invoice processing O: Online Recruitment & Recruitment Advertising P: eAuctions - Practical Example for the NW    It is expected that delegates will be able to select 5 workshops from a current list of 16 so organizations may want to send a number of delegates to ensure that all relevant sessions can be attended.
More information can be found at www.nwce.gov.uk/bargainhunt.htm. Sign up now October 3, 2006 by contacting Bev Brooks on 0161 342 4081 or bev.brooks@tameside.gov.uk      

Agency Staffing Project Engagement Day 03.11.06   

The NWCE in partnership with AGMA are pleased to announce Agency Staffing Project Engagement Day.  Public Sector expenditure on Agency Workers across the UK is estimated be in the region of £12 billion per annum and is believed to be in excess of £50 million purely with AGMA.   As you may be aware the AGMA Agency Staffing Project is progressing well and has completed a quick win exercise that could save over £2million across the eleven participating authorities and associations.  The success of the project to date demonstrates the power of true organisational collaboration. Not only will each organisation gain substantial ‘cash’ savings and streamlined processes, but a new model would afford greater control over the quality of agency workers for all parties.   This event will demonstrate with further single authority and collaborative case studies from Lancashire, Southwark, Fulham and the OGC  (who in partnership with the London RCE have developed a toolkit for agency Staff projects) how this process is already proved to work. We will take you through all the phases of the project, from Pre-Implementation to Delivery right through to What Happens Next and Future Operations.   The event will be held in Manchester (Barbirolli Square) on Friday 3^rd November.  Click here to see agenda and to learn more please clickhere     To register for this event please email rebecca.mcdevitt@tameside.gov.uk with names of those who you would like to attend.  Numbers are limited so will be allocated on a first served basis.  We look forward to seeing you there.       

MAKING THE MOST OF PURCHASE SPEND ANALYSIS DATA   

The North West Centre of Excellence is running a series of one day workshops on making the most of the Purchase Spend Analysis data that the majority councils have collated. These workshops will be completely subsidised by NWCE and as such will be completely FREE to you all.   The workshops provide a great opportunity for Local Authorities to gain the tools needed to make the most of Purchase Spend Analysis. The skills and knowledge you will walk away with will enable your authority to use the expenditure data effectively to help support future planning, to achieve efficiency and cashable savings and to identifying areas where collaborative working is likely to deliver the best results.  One workshop will be held in each sub-region of the North West throughout September and October. The following workshops have been arranged so far:   ·              

• Tuesday 19 September – Cumbria region (Dalston Offices, Cumbria CC)
• Wednesday 20 September – Greater Manchester region (Stockport Town Hall) 
• Wednesday 11 October – Cheshire region (Paddington House Hotel, Warrington)   

Each workshop can accommodate 16 people, with a maximum of two from each council.  Download a short two page summary of the workshops, providing details of the contents and format of the day.  If you wish to sign up for this event then please email Rebecca McDevitt at NWCE as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as places will fill up fast.