Health and Social Care News

Care to Save?

The NWCE is working closely with the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) to develop an agreed work programme for 2007/08.  This work is being carried out through a support services sub-group and a meeting to establish detailed proposals for potential efficiency gains for adult social care is taking place on 29 March 2007.  For further information please contact us.

Smarter Savers

As part of the work with the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS), the smarter commissioning sub-group met in Warrington on 16 March 2007.  The group looked at progress so far, in particular establishing draft framework agreements to provide specialist care for people with learning disabilities.  The document will be available on the NWCE website soon.  If you have any queries please contact us.

The smarter commissioning group have also agreed to look at opportunities to make savings across health and social care within the Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire sub-regions.  We will keep you posted, but for further details on this development please contact us.

Shared Services News

Learn How to Share

The NWCE is working with 4Ps to offer two workshops that will help councils or groups of councils explore the shared services opportunities available to them.

Workshop 1 is designed for authorities interested in developing shared services but who have not yet developed specific projects. It involves understanding the various delivery options, identifying like-minded partners and which service areas are most appropriate, and identifying the critical success factors.

Workshop 2 is designed for those authorities who have begun to develop the vision and outcomes for shared services, or a strategic outline business case. It considers collaboration options more fully in order to develop and appraise the business case and helps to plan for the transition to a shared service.

These workshops have been designed with the 4Ps, and are available at £800 per session.

Further details can be found via the Shared Services section of the NWCE website, or contact us. 

Procurement News

Framework of the Week - Multifunctional Devices

Until 31st March 2007, public sector bodies can benefit from a series of deals on multifunctional devices that have recently been agreed with all five suppliers on OGC Buying Solutions’ Facilities framework.

The five suppliers offering the discounts for this framework are: Canon (UK) Ltd, NRG Group Ltd, Oce Imagistics (UK) Ltd, Danwood Group, and Xerox (UK) Ltd.

This framework offers multiple savings through further discounts of up to 28% on the price of pre configured multifunctional devices. 

For further information please click here, or contact us.

General News

We're Giving our Money Away!

The NWCE Management Board will, at its meeting on 30 April 2007, be considering applications for funding support from the NWCE programme boards.  Further details on the commissioned funding process will be available on our website shortly.  If you have any queries or would like further information please contact us.

All requests for funding must be supported by one of the NWCE's programme boards.  For further information please contact us.

Package Deal

Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas, has published the Business Improvement Package for local authorities – one of the key commitments of last year’s Local Government White Paper. 
The Chief Executives’ Task Force has welcomed the launch of the package and Rob Sykes, chair of the Task Force, said, “Streamlining business processes is an important area where councils can secure greater efficiency and better service outcomes.  I would encourage all councils to look closely at what this very helpful package offers.”
For more information about the Business Improvement Package go to www.bip.rcoe.gov.uk

EVENTS

 

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.  Remember - the only way in which you can register for this event is by registering on the NWCE website.

Fancy signing up to the team at Old Trafford for free?

The North West Centre of Excellence has negotiated for ten free tickets to be available to local authority representatives for the Public Sector Procurement Conference that will take place at Manchester United FC on 29 March 2007.
Places at the event which is being chaired by NWCE regional director Colin Cram are limited – more than 250 delegates have already signed up to attend.
The event ‘Managing Procurement Better’ will include a number of key themes, including efficient and cost effective procurement within the public sector, introducing best practice into purchasing decisions, the pros and cons of buying from an OGC framework and understanding the Government marketplace.
Free tickets will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Christine Acton at the NWCE now on 0161 342 3301 or email Christine Acton.

NWeGG - Benefits Realisation Management
A Vehicle for Transformational Change - 17 April 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.  Visit www.nwegg.org.uk for further information.

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.

Swap Shop

The dates for the next two corporate and transactional shared services Network Groups are Tuesday 15 May in Sheffield and Thursday 17 May 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

Bargain Hunt II

The second Bargain Hunt event is now confirmed and will take place on 21 May 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 your place now to avoid disappointment! (Click here to book) or contact Rahela Parvin at the NWCE.