News Update

Week Ending 11th November 2005

Wheeled Bins – E-Auction

Warrington Borough Council’s Commissioning and Procurement Unit is taking the lead role in delivering a collaborative framework agreement for the supply of wheeled bins through an e-auction. The three year framework is anticipated to initially cover 10 authorities in the North West and West Midlands with requirements for over 300,000 bins. This tender is for a fully collaborative framework and provision of the bins will be under a common contract arrangement.

The electronic reverse auction will take place in January and is being supported by the North West Centre of Excellence and OGC. Warrington Borough Council would like to invite all members and managers from all authorities to the auction, which will take place over lunch.

Other Councils wishing to be involved in the framework should contact Phil O’Connor, Head of Commissioning and Procurement at Warrington Borough Council on 01925 443905 or philo’connor@warrington.gov.uk

OGC E-Auction Funding

The NWCE is looking to confirm which regional partnership e-auctions can be funded via the OGC.  As such, can those who expressed an interest in holding collaborative e-auctions, or who are holding collaborative e-auctions before 31^st March 2006 please contact Miranda Carruthers-Watt as a matter of urgency.

Efficiency Peer Reviews

NWCE and IDeA are offering a supported programme of efficiency peer reviews.  The NWCE have agreed to part fund the cost to Authorities of participating.

As well as providing individual local authorities with practical and focused recommendations for improvement, the programme will enable IDeA and the Regional Centre of Excellence to work with local authorities in building a network of efficiency practitioners in the North West, to support the exchange of learning and expertise.

Participating authorities will provide suitable peers for reviews in other authorities, whilst receiving the benefit of advice from accredited peers and national experts about their own council’s efficiency plans.

For further information please contact NWCE.

EVENTS

Cheshire Collaboration

All of the Cheshire authorities have been working together for some time in respect of priorities on collaboration and corporate procurement.  The current position is that a number of pieces of work have been identified as potential savings opportunities.  The North West Centre of Excellence has offered some funding on a call-off basis for both procurement and collaborative working initiatives.

A final piece of work remains to select the strategic procurement options, match them to overall strategic priorities within councils and provide an effective business case for approval within individual authorities.

We have arranged a workshop for the 22^nd November 2005 to be facilitated by the NWCE to allow this to happen.  The event will take place at Cheshire Military Museum and will last from 10.00am to 3.00pm. 

For further information please contact NWCE.

Local Authorities Purchasing Partnership (LAPP) – Away-day

LAPP are holding an Away-day on 18^th November 2005, the objective of which is to enhance collaboration and joint procurement and to enable LAPP to act as a sub-regional body for strategic procurement.

LAPP will

Review its aims and objectives

Review its governance structures

Review membership of the group

Review LAPP priorities

Identify resources required to meet its objectives and priorities.

For further information please contact NWCE.

New EU Procurement Directives Seminars     

May we remind you that the closing date for booking a place at our EU Procurement Directives Seminars is the 18^th November 2005.  Full details of the event and booking form can be found by clicking here.  A booking form must be completed and returned to Bev at the Centre to secure your place. 

NWCE Team Away-day  - 21^st November

The NWCE team are holding an away-day on 21^st November.  Consequently you will be unable to contact any of the NWCE staff on that date.  Messages can be left via email or the office answer phone and a member of staff will get back to you as soon as possible.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.