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Related Links News Updates |
News UpdateWeek Ending 11th August 2006
Energy Benchmarking Request
As part of the NWCE Energy Procurement work we are looking to benchmark energy procurement within the region. This research will help us identify possible savings and ensure that authorities have access to the best energy contracts. The benchmarking will be carried out by OGC and any detailed questions can be directed to Tony Fish on 07733 315040 or tony.fish@ogc.gsi.gov.uk.
A spreadsheet will be sent to all Procurement Officers. Therefore, we would be grateful if your organisation could look to complete the spreadsheet and return to rebecca.mcdevitt@tameside.gov.uk by 25th August. If you are not able to breakdown as per columns L to P then please leave this section blank. All results will be anonymous. We appreciate your assistance with this matter.
Purchase Spend Analysis
A comprehensive number of reports have now been made available evaluating the purchase spend data within the region. These reports look at the spend data for the 30 authorities where data has been received to date. Further data will be added when made available. As well as summary reports there are detailed sub-regional and regional analysis to help assist with sub-regional collaborative plans.
All reports can be found at https://vwg.agma.gov.uk/sites/NWCEeP/default.aspx under the Spend Analysis menu item.
If you have any queries on the data or reports please email nwce@tameside.gov.uk.
Construction Programme Board - Framework Toolkit
In collaboration with Manchester City Council (MCC), and Constructing Excellence, CCI have developed a Framework Toolkit to help public bodies procure more efficiently.
The toolkit is based upon the principles of efficiency currently being established via The Centres of Excellence. CCI continue to deliver the toolkit in association with the North West Centre of Excellence.
Manchester City Council have been utilising Frameworks as part of their Modernising Construction activity and programme of collaborative working to deliver Better Value and Improved Efficiency.
CCI and Constructing Excellence have worked with MCC to compile an in depth case study of the process that they have implemented for a framework of suppliers on Capital Works under the Building Schools for the future programme. Please click below to access the toolkit: http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/tools/frameworkingtoolkit/default.jsp
Or contact Nigel Curry – programme manager at CCI.
OGC
Please find attached two briefing notes from OGC around procurement. It should be noted that the NWCE portal project is still evaluating Supply2Gov and has planned a further meeting with them to look at operability within the portal and eSourcing plan for the region.
PPN/03/06 provides advice on below threshold procurements and other procurements not fully subject to the EU Public Procurement Directives.
PPN/04/06 provides guidance on the Competitive Dialogue procedure and requests information on your experiences of this procedure to inform further guidance that OGC will produce on Competitive Dialogue.
We hope you find this information useful, but if you do have any queries or require further assistance, please contact the OGC Service Desk in the first instance by E-mail: servicedesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk or by phoning 0845 000 4999.
Carbon Trust Presentation
Please find attached a presentation from Carbon Trust that outlines their efficiency toolkit. The presentation can be found here.
Shared Back Office and Support Services
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, on behalf of the East Midlands (Fire) Regional Management Board, are embarking on a major project, which they are eager to learn from existing practice and to share learning as their work progresses.
We would appreciate your assistance by either contacting Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue directly and/or disseminating the following to potentially interested parties through your appropriate networks.
Shared Back Office and Support Services
As part of its approach to addressing common challenges, sharing best practice and pooling appropriate resources, the East Midlands Fire Services Regional Management Board have obtained funding from the East Midlands Regional Centre for Excellence to commission consultants to:
undertake a comprehensive independent review into the existing provision of common and specialist back office and support functions across the East Midlands Fire Services in order to identify options and determine the most efficient and robust way of providing such services
The project is being led by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service who are interested in hearing from:
If you are interested in getting in touch with this project please contact Mark Mortimore, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service by email mark.mortimore@notts-fire.gov.uk or telephone 0115 9670880 or contact Jeremy Lodge, Business Change Manager, Fire and Rescue Service Modernisation Government Office 0115 971 9971 (extn 4730) or mobile 0779 526 8936.
Keith Gordon joins the NWCE team
Keith Gordon, formerly from the East Midlands RCE, has joined the NWCE on a short secondment. Keith will be assisting in a number of key procurement areas to help facilitate progress. This will include: Sustainability, Standards and Construction.
Keith can be contacted by email at keith.gordon@tameside.gov.uk or phone 0161 342 2839.
EVENTS
4Ps Gateway Review Training
A Gateway Review can cast a critical, independent eye over procurement projects at crucial stages in their development. The reviews are conducted by a team of professionals who aren’t part of the project team and who can look objectively over the aims of projects and the structure of the deal.
4ps Gateway reviews are helping local authority project owners to deliver successful projects. The North West Centre of Excellence is now offering Gateway Review training, which would normally cost £500, FREE OF CHARGE.
Further information, including an overview of the Gateway Review process and profile of a gateway reviewer can be found here.
Places are still available at:
If you would like to attend please complete a booking form by clicking here - and return by email to Viv Greatwich at the NWCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Bargain Hunt – how to save £100m+ a year Showing at The Palace Hotel, Manchester October 3, 2006
The NWCE has identified a catalogue of savings/efficiency opportunities from initiatives that can deliver more than £100million a year for local authorities in the north west.
The Bargain Hunt conference will reveal how local authorities can take advantage of these opportunities and grab a share of the savings for themselves.
There will also be the chance to view a live, national e-auction for IT hardware that will be taking place in the conference hall itself.
Who should be in on the action? Bargain Hunt is a must for members, chief executives, finance directors, operational staff, procurement staff and auditors.
Further details about the event and places, which will be limited, will be announced shortly.
OGC Buying Solutions - Sustainable Solutions: Procurement and Disposal Road Show Reminder
The road shows are a joint endeavour with the MOD's Disposal Services Agency (DSA) and the local authorities Regional Centres of Excellence (RCE). We have jointly developed a programme, specifically for our public sector colleagues, which will raise awareness of sustainable procurement issues and provide information and examples of good practice.
The Sustainable Solutions: Procurement and Disposal Road Show is being run as a morning session at nine different locations across the UK.
The morning session is relevant to all involved in public sector sustainable procurement and, with the exception of Glasgow, will be followed by an afternoon session which is aimed specifically but not exclusively at local government. These sessions will be delivered by the RCE, under direction of David Wright from the North East RCE as the national lead for local authority sustainability and the Society of Procurement Officers (SOPO).
The morning agenda will include:
* Energy Conservation and Management * Water Management * Compliant value for money disposal services * Environmental and building issues * Disposal of IT equipment & furniture * Local government response to the Sustainable Procurement Task Force Plan * Buying Solutions new Sustainable Solutions catalogue
For further information on both morning and afternoon sessions or to register please go to: http://livegroup.co.uk/ogcsustainablesolutions/
The Centre for Construction Innovation Event – Constructing the Sustainable Way – Promoting Best Practice in Lancashire Burnley Football Club, 07.09.2006 Keynote speaker: Jonathon Porritt
Eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development, Jonathon Porritt, is a keynote speaker at Elevate's September conference Constructing the Sustainable Way.
Sustainable development and construction is at the heart of what Elevate, the Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder for East Lancashire, is trying to achieve in building sustainable communities. Elevate is delighted to present “Constructing the Sustainable Way”, a one day conference promoting best practice in sustainable construction in East Lancashire and beyond. Further information.
If you would like more information on CCI events please visit their website at www.ccinw.com
See Elevate’s website www.elevate-eastlancs.co.uk for more information about East Lancashire’s housing market renewal programme.
Construction Workshop – “Collaboration in Construction” 18.09.2006, Henry Ford College, Loughborough
This conference, organised by the East Midlands Centre of Excellence, will consider the findings of the recently published report; ‘Transforming Local Government Construction Procurement – The Power of Framework Agreements’, and share the lessons learnt from around the UK. The day will be about sharing knowledge, considering the issues around implementation and the support required by Local Authorities in adopting collaboration in construction.
Learning Centred Leadership
Please find attached details of events looking at learning centred leadership run by The Centre for Educational Leadership (CEL) in partnership with John West-Burnham, Honorary Senior Research fellow.
The events will take place on Wednesday 4 October 2006 at CEL Ambleside and Thursday 16 November 2006 at CEL Liverpool.
This event will provide the opportunity to review the implications of learning centeredness for schools. This includes exploring the implications of learning-based approaches for the role of the student, the teacher and for school organisation and reviewing the implications for school leadership.
As such it will be of particular interest to: Headteachers, Deputy heads and senior leaders in other educational settings, Governors, Advisers, and Educational consultants.
You will leave the event with an understanding of the background of the learning centred approach and the components of a learning strategy.
The event will be held at CEL centres in Ambleside and Liverpool. To register: visit http://www.cel.manchester.ac.uk/ or call Joanna Berry, CEL Conference Manager on 0161 275 3462.
Forthcoming Events Calendar
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