North West Centre of Excellence

News Update

Week Ending 14th July 2006

4Ps Gateway Review FREE Training

We would like to remind you that the North West Centre of Excellence has arranged a number of FREE sub-regional training courses regarding the above.   We would encourage your authority not to miss out on this invaluable training opportunity.

Please see dates and venues and details of how to book.  The application form is attached for you to complete and return to Bev Brooks at the NWCE.

Job Opportunity with Government Connect

Government Connect have vacancies for Business Change Support Officers in the North West, West Midlands and East of England.  View the job description and details of how to apply. 

£2.3m Savings from OGC.BuyingSolutions Agreements

Latest figures from OGC.BuyingSolutions show that NW authorities have saved £2.3m from a total spend of £18.6m during the last financial year.  Individual saving letters have been sent to the authorities where savings have been identified.  Work is planned to encourage further take up of these valuable agreements.

NWIN Individual Studentship Bursaries –

"Seeking Improvement through Shared Learning"

Has lack of funding prevented you from bringing an idea for improvement to fruition?  Do you have a dream that will bring about long-term improvements or a vision that will support our shared drive to become a region of excellence in local governance? Would £5,000 additional funding help you make this a reality? 

NWIN Individual Studentship Bursaries – further information.

Service Transformation through Partnership

This publication aims to give officers and members a complete overview of the toolkit and advice that is immediately accessible to them to develop partnerships for service delivery. View

Service Transformation through Partnership.

Shared Services & Public/Public Partnerships

This document aims to help local authorities to develop shared services, joint-working arrangements and partnerships with others in the public sector. It provides a public/public pathway focusing on the key stages in establishing a partnership, and information on the activities to be undertaken at each step of the way. Click here.

Structure for Service Delivery Partnerships

This publication provides details of the different legal structures for partnerships, with others in the public sector, the private or voluntary sectors. Click here

Structures for Collaboration and Shared Services

Essential reading for all officers involved in collaboration, joint-working and shared services initiatives with others in the public sector. It provides a deep insight to the structures for partnerships and the legal, administrative and financial issues that need to be taken into account.  Click here.

IDEA and LGA 'Show me how I matter' guide

 
This guide, aimed at LA officers working in the improvement of local services for looked after children, is available from the following link:
http://www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk/idk/aio/4840650

Business Process Architecture

The Local Authority led Business Process Architecture initiative has produced a comprehensive set of processes to assist Council Executives gain a better understanding of their own organisations. This tool should help link strategic plans to priority service and process improvements, as well as assisting in identifying opportunities for greater collaborative working and shared service provision.

Additional information is available from the following link:  http://www.rcoe.gov.uk/rce/core/page.do?pageId=20201

Structures for Service Delivery Partnerships: (Technical Notes)

This document provides the detail of all the different legal structures for partnerships, whether with others in the public sector, the private or voluntary sectors. It provides comprehensive technical advice on the implications of the structure for your partnership.

Read more and download pdf:  http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501231

Improvement Network Website Re-launched with New Tools for Councils

Local government's first port of call for improvement advice is being re-launched on Tuesday 4 July with an array of improvements of its own, including a brand new management toolkit for councils. Read more……..  http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/6591

Ruth Kelly’s Speech at LGA Conference

Ruth Kelly gave the keynote speech at the LGA Conference in Bournemouth on Wednesday, 5^th July.   Full copy of the speech please visit www.communities.gov.uk

The ‘Mapping the Local Government Performance Landscape’ report is on

the DCLG website: http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501364

David Miliband – “Power Devolved is Energy Released”

To read the text of Mr Miliband’s speech at the LGA Conference click the link:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ministers/speeches/david-miliband/dm060704.htm

Centre for Procurement Performance (CPP) – Latest Newsletter

Download the June 2006 Newsletter.