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Bargain Hunt 2 a Hammering Success!
Bargain Hunt II took place on May 21 2007 and was a hammering success!
More than 160 delegates were treated to a choice of 30 workshops, showing how to make potential savings in excess of £100 million in areas such as fuel, consultancy fees and ICT.
All presentations from the day can be viewed by clicking here.
Neil Hind, NWCE procurement programme manager, said: “This initial feedback shows the event was a huge success – building on the first bargain hunt event. The format is an efficient way for procurement professionals to see a good number of saving opportunities in a single day. Planning is already underway for a third!”
Procurement News
Where Does the Money Go?
As mentioned ina recent edition of our newsletter, a project funded by NWCE and NWIN will research how third party spend is managed and develop options for how it can be improved. As well as examining overall procurement, collaborative initiatives, efficiency and value for money the research will also examine other factors such as sustainability, innovation and support for local business.
This project now has its own pages on the NWCE website which will be regularly updated. Click here to view the project.
Food for Thought
The DFES Centre for Procurement Performance and the Regional Centres of Excellence National Procurement Programme (RCE NPP) are setting up a national food Procurement Action Group (PAG), to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the public sector food supply chain.
The PAG will initially include representatives from NECE, RCE NPP and the DFES CPP. Other relevant national organisations have also been invited to participate.
To help inform the actions of the PAG, four sub- groups will be established to focus on key issues identified at a ‘Mainstreaming the PSFPI’ event on March 7. Further details, including dates and venues of the first meetings can be found here.
The sub-groups will be: Demand Management; Logistics/Supply chain; Marketing/market management and Procurement.
If you are interested in participating in one of the sub-groups, please contact Andrea Charlton, at nece@gateshead.gov.uk, indicating which group(s) you are interested in and your availability for the meeting(s).
Framework of the Week -
Discounted Telecoms Private Circuits
The NWCE's framework of the week highlights key frameworks or agreements councils can use. Wired for savings? This week's agreement can help councils to source telecoms private circuits at much reduced rates. Click here for further details.
Shared Services News
New Way of Sharing
It has been agreed that the NWCE/Shared Services group and the NWeGG LetsGo group will combine. These two related groups will hold a meeting every three months from 9.30am – 3.30pm with an agenda covering business improvement techniques and shared services. The new group will be called the "Process Improvement and Shared Services What’s in it for us Group". The first meeting of this newly combined group is the 'What's in it for Us' meeting, the details of which can be found in the events section of this newsletter. All future LetsGo Group meeting have now been cancelled.
For further information please contact us.
Waste Management News
Web of Waste
The full “New Model for Delivery of Waste Treatment Facilities” report is now available from the Waste Information Network (WIN) site.
This site has now been live for nearly ten months and is a support tool for local authorities provising up-to-date information on all aspects of waste management relevant to local authorities.
Features include: a document library with over 350 waste management reports; a procurement support section with example contracts, template documents, guidance on joint working and framework contracts; a guidance and best practice section on a wide range of waste management issues and a contacts list with over 1000 local authority waste management contacts
Visit WIN at www.win.org.uk
National News
Catalyst
The May edition of CATALYST, the national publication from the Regional Centres of Excellence is available and can be viewed here.
Skills Shortages
Across the country, local councils are finding some posts harder to recruit to than others. This is due to a shortage of skills in certain occupations. IDeA have developed a resource which looks at the top ten skills shortage areas and tells you what national initiatives exist to help you fill these gaps. More information available on the IDeA website at : http://www.idea.gov.uk/
Annual Efficiency Statements - Backward Look
The template for completing the 2006/07 backward look AES will be available on ESD Toolkit from 21 May. Submission date for the backward look statements is 5 July.
Events
Regional Project and Programme Management Study and Seminar
June 6 2007
The regional PPM maturity study is complete with 22 councils completing a very informative survey. A business case and next phase plan is being refined and will be reviewed and debated at the regional PPM event on the 6th June. Please come along and share your views! We will be discussing items link a regional framework for PPM training. You can register at http://www.nwegg.org.uk/view_event.php?id=53
Utilities Management and Sustainability
June 15 2007
The procurement programme will be holding a session on 15th June on utility procurement and the better management of such services. The session will be of interest to those involved with procurement, energy management and sustainability. The day will cover:
- Current market /overview of utility contracts
• Third party case history
• Advanced procurement options - Liquid Fuels
• The MOD/OGCbs relationship & making it work
• Bio Diesel - Bureau Service
• Bill validation, monitoring and targeting
• Energy Management
• Water Management and Efficiency - Metering Solutions
- E-Billing
Please book online at http://www.nwce.gov.uk/view_event.php?id=81. Please send to your energy management and sustainability officers.
What's in it For Us?
June 19 2007
The first Shared Services stakeholders' meeting takes place on June 19 2007 at Preston Red Rose Hub. These events will be held every three months to provide an update on progress made by the NWCE and NWEGG Shared Services Programme, to introduce specific tools that can assist with Shared Services and to share the experiences of colleagues who have been through the process.
The agenda includes a whirlwind tour of ICT shared services - Alan Cook of Cumbria CC will take attendees on a whistle stop tour of places that you should visit and places to avoid should they wish to embark on a similar journey.
For further information click here.
Equality and Diversity Framework for Procurement event
June 25 2007, Huyton Suite, Knowsley
For many councils across England, a consistent issue is participation in the LGA Equality Standards, particularly the development of procedures for equality and diversity within procurement. Participation requires the establishment of a pre-qualification tool to ensure contractors and partners have, and implement, equal opportunities within service delivery and employment.
Groups from across the region have considered this issue and have arranged a joint conference to take place in Knowsley on June 25 2007.
For further information about the event and how to book your place click here.
On with the Showcase!
June 28 2007
THE NWCE and seven of its partners are joining forces for a major event at the end of June.
The Local Governance Showcase will take place on June 28, 2007 at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton and will focus on a comprehensive range of topics including efficiency and procurement, public service reform, performance management; collaborative delivery; service transformation and partnership working.
The event will be delivered by the centre, along with North West Improvement Network (NWIN), the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), the Government Office North West (GONW), the Centre for Local Governance (CFLG), the North West Employers Organisation (NWEO), RENEW NW and the North West eGovernment Group (NWeGG).
The event is aimed at a host of local authority representatives – from leading elected members and chief executives to efficiency practitioners and business improvement managers.
For more information about the showcase and its special features, click here.
Negotiation Skills
July 2 2007
A one day “Negotiation Skills” programme is being held on July 2 2007 at Manchester Youth Hostel. This programme will cover a wide range of the skills, tools and tactics needed for effective negotiation, through real example and by encouraging delegates to qurstion their approaches to negotiation. The overall objective is to motivate participants that there are opportunities to practice effective negotiation and to deliver positive benefits for all parties. The tutor will be Dr Brian Farrington, an experienced negotiator in the public sector who has represented central government departments and local authorities in their negotiations with a wide variety of suppliers and contractors.
Don’t miss out. For further information and to book your place click here.
Estates and Property Services Management Workshop
July 19 2007
As part of the NWCE procurement programme an Estates and Property Services Management workshop is being held. Click here for further infornation and to book a place.