News Update

Week Ending 9th June 2006

Lease Car Framework Agreements

A number of local authorities across the region are coming to the end of their current lease car contracts. Rather than have to undertake new tender exercises, they wish to join framework agreements / contracts that other authorities are currently using. Should anyone currently use a lease car contract that is open to other NW local authorities, could they please forward details to Olly Baker at NWCE. 

NWCE is currently investigating central government contracts for lease cars, and any suitable details will be made available to all NW authorities. 

However, should no suitable framework agreements be available we will look at developing an agreement for NW authorities. We would ask that all councils who would be interested in joining such an agreement again contact Olly Baker.

Out of Borough Resident Placements – Can You Help?

Wirral Borough Council are currently in the process of drafting a new joint contract with Health for out of borough residential placements.  The category of service user is learning disability/mental health.

Have any of you developed service specifications for LD/MH specialist residential contracts?  If so, could you kindly contact Julie Walker / telephone 0151 666 5147.

Evaluation of Energy Procurement Processes

A joint London RCE / South East RCE project was set up last year to examine the procurement of  energy in London and the Thames Valley to assess how successful the differing methods used had been in the past and identify best practice for the future in what has become a very difficult and volatile market. Outcomes include a Best Practice Toolkit which has application across the region. Further work as follow-up to the Report will include the establishment of national framework agreements with energy providers aimed at speeding up and simplifying the tendering process. The resulting report can be found by following this link: Evaluation of Energy Procurement Process.  

PM Partner: The more effective Partnership Project

This project aims to bring together available guidance and to draw on practitioners’ Performance Management experience to build up examples of good practice and identify where there might be gaps, using on-line collaboration on an interactive website.  The project relies on practitioners sharing questions, comments, expertise and examples.  You don’t have to be a technical expert to get involved and you can choose your own level of interaction.  FAQ’s and further information can be found here.

Pay and Workforce Strategy

Updated guidance, which aims to help authorities to understand the links, overlaps and differences between the Local Government Pay and Workforce Strategy (LGPWS) and the Children’s Workforce Strategy (CWS) so that they can successfully implement both strategies locally.  Read more here.

Building the Department for Communities and Local Government

Download the discussion document setting out the vision for the next stage in creating the new Department for Communities and Local Government

The Beacon Scheme

The Beacon Scheme identifies excellence and innovation in local government and aims to share good practice so that authorities can learn from one another and deliver high quality services.  The deadline for applications is 23 June.  For more information click here.

21^st Century Public Services

Changes in health and education are difficult and challenging but essential to deliver 21st century services to the public, Tony Blair has said.  Read the Prime Minister’s speech.

Sustainable Energy Policy Network Newsletter

The newsletter updates on the work of delivering the commitments in the Energy White Paper.  Available to download.

EVENTS

Modernising Services Reference Meeting – 14 June 2006, Manchester Town Hall

There are still places available for the above event.  The event will include a demonstration of ‘Sharepoint’, a national and regional overview of the Corporate and Transactional Services programme; information relating to revenues and benefits initiatives plus agency staffing initiatives.

If you would like to attend please contact Bev Brooks as soon as possible –

places are limited!

eProcurement Reference Day

Presentations are now available from the well attended eProcurement Day on 6^th June. Of special interest was an overview of new EU regulations and an update on the e-Invoicing project at Salford City Council. All presentations can be found at:

https://vwg.agma.gov.uk/sites/NWCEeP/Lists/Announcements/DispForm.aspx?ID=5

e-Invoicing Event  - 16 June – Delayed

Due to increased interest in this event a decision has been made to delay until mid July to allow for additional attendees. A new date will be published very quickly!

If you would like to be added to the attendee list please email Rebecca McDevitt.

Process Costing Workshop – 6 July – Wigan Investment Centre

The eProcurement programme are offering a limited number of authorities a free session on understanding the cost of procurement. The one-day course - ‘Calculating Process Costs’ – will enable staff to assign costs to process elements and model effects of process changes, with particular emphasis on Purchase-to-Payment process. We will give time for the delegates to practice the techniques, and understand the implications, through exercise and participation. This workshop should therefore form a sound basis for participants in understanding how to make an assessment of their procure-to-purchase costs in their own authorities, both in terms of costs and also potential for improvement.

It would be useful if a procurement and finance person attended from each participating authority. If you would like to be added to the attendee list please email Rebecca McDevitt. A charge of £100 per person may be applied for non attendance as this is a very limited session. The draft agenda can be viewed by clicking here.

4Ps Gateway Review Training

4Ps Gateway Review Training will be taking place across the North West during July and August.  Dates are provisionally as follows:

26^th July:          Lancashire

27th July:         Cumbria

22^nd August:    Manchester

29^th August:     Cheshire

30^th August:     Merseyside

Details will be confirmed in next week’s news update, however if you have any enquiries in the meantime please contact Bev Brooks.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR