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News UpdateWeek Ending 7th April 2006
CSR07 North West Roundtable Event - 4 April 2006
ODPM and the NWCE co-hosted an event for Chief Executives on the government's Comprehensive Review of Public Spending (CSR07). Though the CSR07 process won't conclude until summer 2007 the event provided an early opportunity for local authorities in the North West to feed in their ideas on how to roll forward the efficiency agenda to 2011.
The event was very enjoyable, challenging and informative, and successful in opening up an on-going dialogue with North West councils about rolling forward the efficiency agenda and how it meshes with the wider CSR07 policy.
For further information please contact NWCE.
eGovernment Expo
NWCE and NWeGG attended the eGovernment expo this week. A number of opportunities are now available for people to start using products – a round-up of these products will be included in next week’s news update.
Can You Help?
Do any Local
Authorities have framework agreements for Janitorial / Cleaning supplies (other
than the OGC one with Buck and Hickman) that would be open to enable other
councils to use? If you can assist please contact
Kevin Cliffe, Purchasing Manager
at Vale Royal Borough Council – tel 01606 867918, or
Beverley Brooks at NWCE. Showcasing Good Practice in Council Efficiency
To view the document on our website please click on the image above or click here.
Defra Efficiency Toolkit Re-launched!
Defra has launched version 3 of its Environmental Services Toolkit. The toolkit is designed to help local authorities in filling out their 2006-07 Forward-look Annual Efficiency Statement (AES) return due in by 18th April, and can be used for future AES returns (next deadline is June for the 2005/06 backward look).
This is available on the Regional Centres of Excellence website and the Defra Local Authority Support Unit websites at the following links: http://www.rcoe.gov.uk/rce/core/page.do?pageId=10106 http://lasupport.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=ViewArticle&ArticleID=216
Please click here for further information.
Schools ICT Support
Does your local authority have any initiatives existing or in development that rationalise schools ICT support?
A significant project is ongoing for Becta (the DfES education ICT agency) with a number of strands relating to the procurement and support for management information systems in schools. The genesis of the projects is partly set out in a report last year Management Information Systems (MIS) and Value for Money – click here to view. This sets out an analysis about the constraints on schools achieving VFM in the current environment.
The RCE director with special responsibility for schools has been contacted, with particular regard to the role of local authorities in supporting MIS. Price Waterhouse Cooper is seeking to construct a business case to support the development of alternative approaches. Collaboration and possibly shared services are obvious candidates, as all the RCEs are identifying and supporting collaboration in various ways. The benefits of the overall programme will be significant - not just in financial terms, but in enabling schools to be better managed, both administratively and in terms of teaching and outcomes for learners.
If you can help please contact Beverley Brooks at NWCE.
CPP – The Centre for Procurement Performance - March Newsletter
To view the March 2006 edition of the CPP newsletter, please click here.
EVENTS
Launch Event for NWCE High Cost Placements Project – Re-arranged date/venue 10th May 2006, Tickled Trout Hotel, Preston
The above event has now been re-scheduled and will no longer take place on 27th April, as previously advised.
The re-arranged date and venue are as follows:
Date: 10th May 2006
Venue:
Macdonald Tickled Trout
Hotel
For directions to the venue, please click here. If you have any queries please contact Beverley Brooks at NWCE.
eProcurement Reference Group Meeting – Change of Date and Venue Now Taking Place 6 June 2006 at the Lancashire Hub, Preston
Following from the successful meeting on 3rd March (despite the snow), a further eProcurement reference meeting will take place from 10.00am to 3pm on the 8th June 2006 at The Lancashire Hub, Preston. This is a free event, open to representatives from North West Councils with an interest in eProcurement. This meeting was previously arranged for 8 June 2006 – please amend diaries accordingly. For further information please contact Rebecca McDevitt at the NWCE.
eProcurement Project Meetings
The next series of eProcurement project meetings have now been arranged as below. Details of all meetings are available via the eProcurement Portal but if you would like to get involved please let the centre know.
For information, the eProcurement Programme Board plans to meet as below. Tuesday 25 April, 1.30pm at Lancashire County Council, Preston and then on 29 June, 26 September, 28 November, 25 January and 29 March 2007.
Corporate/Collaborative Services Workstream Meeting / Workshop
The above meeting, which will take the form of a workshop has been arranged for 14th June 2006. The exact time and venue is currently being arranged and further details will follow in early course. In the meantime please could members of the workstream note their diaries accordingly. For further information please contact Beverley Brooks at NWCE.
How Ready is your Organisation for ISO 14001? 25 April, CUBE, Manchester
The Centre for Construction Innovation, in conjunction with SGS United Kingdom Ltd and ISYS International Ltd, would like to invite you to a free morning seminar focusing on ISO 14001.
You will have an opportunity to meet with experts from SGS and ISYS International and you will see a demonstration of a unique software tool which gives you a step-by-step guide and template documents for a clear and effective route to ISO14001 certification.
Click here for Registration and Programme
CCI Spring/Summer Training Series Skills to Deliver Excellence in the Built Environment 30 May / 13 June / 27 June
These one day courses will provide you with up-to-date information on policy and best practice, giving you the opportunity to learn, gain confidence and act on the key issues facing your organisation. The sessions are designed to be relevant to both public clients and contractors. CCI are experienced in working with and providing support to public bodies and private organisations, clients and contractors and understands what is needed to improve the construction process.
To see the topics to be covered and for further information please click here.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS - CALENDAR
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