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Related Links News Updates |
News Update Week Ending 8 December 2006
RCE Regional Workshops: Service Transformation through Partnership Event 18.01.2007, Cheshire Conference Centre, Stockport
Following on from the highly successful Local Government Engagement Event ran by the NWCE on 2nd November 2006, this event is for anyone within local government with an interest in shared services, particularly with regards to the practical side of actually putting a shared service in place. For further information see the EVENTS section of this news update. To register your interest contact the NWCE.
Spikes Cavell Observatory – Notification of Downtime
Notification of Observatory Downtime - from 1pm Friday 8th December to 10am Monday 11th December.
Over the last year, Spikes Cavell has seen success and rapid growth of the Observatory user base amongst local authorities, universities, NHS trusts, fire & rescue, police and central government bodies across the UK.
Spikes Cavell are currently undertaking some key activities to improve the service they provide. These include:
Access to Observatory will unavailable from 1pm on Friday 8th December 2006 until 10am on Monday 11th December as our IT team will be working on the switch to the new server setup this coming weekend. Spikes Cavell apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Strategic Partner for Highways Professional Services (Design)
Purchasing a new HR/Payroll Software system?
Is your authority considering purchasing a new HR/Payroll Software system. If so could you please contact Ingrid Pinn, Procurement Manager, Lancashire County Council. Telephone 01772 531175 or email ingrid.pinn@fin.lancscc.gov.uk. Lancashire County Council would be interested in discussing the possibility of collaborating if the timing were right and the requirements compatible.
Sustainable Procurement Project – New Website
We are pleased to announce the exciting news that the London Centre of Excellence Sustainable Procurement project led by the London Borough of Camden now has a website up and running through the LCE website. Over the coming months the website will continue to develop. Visit the site to find out about regular progress on 3 contracts being worked on – Minor Highways Improvement; Meals on Wheels; Furniture Disposal (Reuse and Recycling), opportunities for involvement, toolkits, specifications and training. Most importantly the site should be used as a mechanism to share information with others. Share your good practice or send in requests for information on topics that can e listed the results shared with all.
Service Transformation: a better service for citizens and businesses…
The ‘Varney Report’ looks at how the channels through which services are delivered can be made more efficient and responsive to the needs of citizens and businesses. Read the full report here.
Local government efficiency savings could limit tax rises
Some councils say that efficiency savings have limited rises in council tax without cutting services. Nearly four in ten councils believe that efficiency savings have enabled them to limit increases in council tax bills, a new survey from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) reveals. Read the full press release.
Esd-toolkit Take 5 Newsletter
The latest issue is available here.
Chief Executives Bulletin from the Department of Health
The latest issue is available here.
e-Gov Monitor
The latest issue is available here. Including an article from NECE regarding the success and progress of the Service Excellence programme.
Pre Budget Report
The Treasury has published the pre-budget report “Investing in Britain’s potential : Building our long-term future”, in which it was disclosed that the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review will call for at least 3% savings across central and local government. Gordon Brown also announced in his pre-budget statement that publication of the Lyons report will be further delayed to March 2007.
A summary of the report is available at http://prebudget2006.treasury.gov.uk/ or the full Pre-Budget report can be downloaded from the HM Treasury site at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pre_budget_report
Long Term Opportunities and Challenges for the UK: Analysis for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review
On the 27th November the Treasury published a report on long-term opportunities and challenges facing the UK “designed to lay the analytical foundations for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)”. Download the report from the Treasury website: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./media/298/55/csr_longterm271106.pdf
Service Transformation - A better deal for citizens and businesses, a better deal for the taxpayer
Sir David Varney has published his report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Service Transformation. His review looks at how the channels through which services are delivered can be made more efficient and responsive to the needs of citizens and businesses. Download the review from the HM Treasury site at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/
Street Lighting Procurement
4ps have issued an updated guide to street lighting procurement. See their website: http://ppstreetlight.4ps.gov.uk/
EVENTS
RCE Regional Workshops: Service Transformation through Partnership Event, 18.01.07 Stockport Football Club
Following on from the highly successful Local Government Engagement Event ran by the NWCE on 2nd November 2006, this event is for anyone within local government with an interest in shared services, particularly with regards to the practical side of actually putting a shared service in place. For further information see the EVENTS section of this news update.
It aims to:
The event promises to be highly participative with delegates encouraged to get actively involved in proceedings, to debate and challenge the issues being raised.
These events have been hugely popular and places are limited – to express your interest in attending please contact the NWCE. A full agenda will be available in due course. Click here for further information.
Postal Procurement Workshop 1pm to 4.30pm Monday 11.12.2006, Red Rose Hub, Preston
The NWCE is looking to help local authorities reduce postal procurement costs. This first workshop will look at deals available and how procurement may be undertaken on a regional basis. The change management activities will also be considered. We will also be discussing the new ‘On the Money’ guide to getting a better deal in postal services document, produced jointly by the Regional Centres of Excellence. Please contact Beverley Brooks at NWCE to reserve a space.
NWeGG Project and Programme Management Seminar - 12.12.2006
NWeGG are holding a Project and Programme Management Seminar on the 12th December at Stockport. One of the country’s leading thinkers on Programme Management, Dr Geoff Reiss, will be giving a seminar and holding a discussion session. Register on the NWeGG website at http://www.nwegg.org.uk/interface/view_events.asp?id=339
Travel Procurement Workshop 10am to 1pm Tuesday 16.01.2006 (venue tbc)
The NWCE is looking to help local authorities reduce travel and hotel procurement costs. This first workshop will look at deals available and how procurement may be undertaken on a regional basis. The change management activities will also be considered. Please contact bev.brooks@tameside.gov.uk to reserve a space.
NWCE Standards Group – Schedule of Meetings for 2007
The schedule of meetings for the Standards Group for 2007 has been agreed as follows:
26th January 2006 26th April 2006 26th July 2006 26th October 2006
All the above meetings commence at 10am and will take place at Ashton-under-Lyne Town Hall.
If you would like further information about the Standards Group please contact Beverley Brooks at the NWCE. |
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