Procurement News

Unlock the treasures of The Chest

THE NWCE has chosen the name for its new e-portal and e-sourcing solution - The Chest.
A poll offering up four suggested names has resulted in The Chest being adopted as the most popular option.
Interest in the new system which is currently being trialed is already high and an ROI model has revealed potential savings of £6.5M.
Local authorities can buy-in to The Chest for as little as £3,400 per year. For that, they will be getting a ready-made framework through which to carry out their e-procurement processes.
More details will be available in due course on our website

Leah jets to top

ALLERDALE Council’s Joanne Leah has won a prestigious procurement award.
Joanne, aged 27, was given the prestigious Young Procurement Professional award at the annual Government Opportunities (GO) Magazine Excellence in Public Procurement Awards.
She won the award in recognition of her outstanding contribution towards improving efficiency and saving money.
Joanne, Corporate Procurement Officer, said: “I I’m every happy to receive this award. It’s a great recognition of our work and good to see the smaller councils competing on equal terms with the bigger organisations.”
Joanne was joined by two other successful entries from the north west at the awards.
The Best Small Supplier Innovation Award was won by Blue Fountain Systems, working with Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, and Manchester City Council Corporate Technical Services Procurement Group was highly commended in the Team Excellence Award category.


Come to the party

The NWCE and NWIN's project looking at how third party spend is managed issues a fortnightly news update to keep members informed of the project's progress.  To view the newsletters click here.

Framework of the Week - Dream Deals

The NWCE's framework of the week highlights key frameworks or agreements councils can use. Dreaming of efficiencies? This week's agreement can help councils save money when buying beds and mattresses. Click here for further information.

Shared Services News

Share It!  Issue 4 out now

The June 2007 issue of Share It! - the newsletter from the north west shared services programme, is now available and can be viewed here.  This issue includes information on a plan developed to get best value for the funding that is available in the region; free NVQ level 2 training on business improvement techniques and an update on the shared services section of the NWCE website. 

National News

Super Supporters

Communities and Local Government have published the "Supporting People Strategy".  This strategy sets out what the Government will do to achieve the aims of the Supporting People programme, what it expects Supporting People commissioners and providers to do, and what service users should be able to expect from housing-related support services.  It is now available from their website: www.spkweb.org.uk/

Tuned in to expertise

An expert forum has been developed by Egovtv, which brings together policy leaders, advisors and practitioners to consider the benefits that Shared Services between councils and other public bodies can deliver.  It also looks at the different approaches to partnerships, governance and commercial arrangements that are proving successful in establishing successful shared services. To view the forum visit www.egovtv.tv

Events

Free Energy Management Workshops from the Carbon Trust
throughout June 2007

Learn more about energy management, reducing spend and analysing consumption. For further details on these events click here.

    
Negotiation Skills
July 2 2007

The NWCE has organised 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. 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.

Introduction to Urban Design for Elected Members
July 2, 2007 - The Globe Centre, Accrington

Elected members with an interest in planning have the chance to learn more about urban design at a one-off event on July 2 supported by the NWCE.
The Centre for Construction Innovation is holding a training event ‘Introduction to Urban Design for Elected Members’ at the Globe Centre in Accrington.
The event will set out the national policy basis for seeking good design in new development and it will cover best practice, key performance indicator services, sustainability and the environment and value procurement.
The half-day event begins at 9am and includes lunch.
To reserve a place, contact Catherine Hackett on 01254 304572.

Constructing Efficiency 
One day workshop - July 2 2007, Manchester Town Hall

Manchester City Council, supported by the National e-Procurement Project, Construction Excellence, the Construction Confederation, Constructionline and Valueworks, are hosting a free one-day workshop to discuss the use of e-procurement technologies in construction.   
For further information and to book email peterd@imaginist.co.uk.

New Municipal Waste Technologies Events
July 10 2007

A free event for waste professionals to examine the implications of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme.
For further information 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.