North West Centre of Excellence

News Update

Week Ending 19th May 2006

Invitation to participate in the High Cost Placement Project

The North West Centre of Excellence (www.nwce.gov.uk) is funding a project to support improvements in commissioning, contracting and service delivery for adults with Learning and/or Physical disabilities in the North West.

The project is in two parts: 

 1.        A mapping exercise – involving a census to gather information about cost, contracts, appropriateness of arrangements, for residential or supported care provision where costs exceed  *£800 per week.  The data will be analysed to provide a baseline for improving commissioning/contracting and service development.

2.      Options appraisal and business case developed in conjunction with other initiatives.

The project was originally going to be piloted by seven local authorities, before being rolled out across the region.  However, we are now extending the scope to include the whole region.  A single regional audit will provide a richer picture of existing arrangements, and a baseline from which to move forward. A single region-wide census will also be more cost effective, so we urge all Authorities with health and social care commissioning responsibilities to participate.

The Project Manager will be presenting the proposal to the meeting of H&SC regional Leads for Learning Disability at NWTD, The Globe, Accrington, on Friday 26^th May, and also at the next meeting of the NWCE H&SC Work Stream on 1^st June.   Please contact Beverley Brooks to join the project or to discuss any aspect of this work.

See the project summary and presentation for more detail.

* We are currently consulting on the figure to be used in this exercise

Newly Published Annual Efficiency Statement Guidance 

DCLG has published an updated guide to completing annual efficiency statements.  This information is designed for Leaders, Chief Executives, Chief Financial Officers and Heads of Service.  Please click here to download. 

PC Consumables eAuction Results – East Midlands Centre of Excellence/ESPO Partnership

The price list and contract associated with the successful East Midlands Centre of Excellence e-auction, conducted in partnership with the Eastern Shires

Purchasing Organisation (ESPO), can be accessed via contract 33

from the following link: http://www.espodealingdirect.org

ESPO claim that the new prices are 43% lower than the previous catalogue, and are available to all

Councils across the Country.

Modernising Services – Corporate and Transactional Services

Showcase Event – 14^th June 2006, 12.15pm, Manchester Town Hall

The above event will showcase examples of modernizing services, such as revenues and benefits, and improved procurement transactions.  If you are interested in attending this event or would like further information please contact Beverley Brooks at the NWCE.

4Ps Middle Tier Manager Training, 24 May 1006, Lancaster University Conference Centre

There are still limited places available for this event.  Please contact Beverley Brooks for further information.

eProcurement Reference Meeting – 6^th June

Please click here to view the confirmed agenda for the next eProcurement Reference Meeting to start at 10am on Tuesday 6^th June at The Red Rose Hub, Preston. The day aims to bring together a number of eProcurement initiatives and well as giving opportunity for debate and discussion around eProcurement issues.

Presentation topics include:

·   Removing the Legal Barriers to Collaboration

·   Innovative uses for Procurement Cards

·   Portal Software – A Market Update

·   eInvoicing – An introduction

·   Update on eProcurement Workstreams

Please email rebecca.mcdevitt@tameside.gov.uk to confirm your attendance as places are limited.

P Card Event – Sold Out!

A number of NW authorities attended the “sold out” P Card event this Tuesday in Manchester. The day helped answer many queries around implementing and using P cards as well as providing some practical help and advice. Sefton, Knowsley and Wyre have all committed to join the NWCE

P card scheme with a number of others preparing papers for their relevant

authorities. If you would like further information or wish to take up

the scheme then please email

rebecca.mcdevitt@tameside.gov.uk.

The slides from the day can be

viewed by clicking here.

NWIN Local Government Showcase 2006

An element of the NWIN vision is to promote the North West region as a region of excellence in Local Governance.  This has a variety of objectives:

·                     To raise the bar of aspiration of Councils in the region

·                     To dramatically improve services

·                     To promote the value of local government to local communities

·                     To encourage greater citizen interest in local government

·                     To seek greater central government recognition and support for local government in the region

·                     To assist with promoting a positive image of the North West in order to attract resources and investment

To take forward this vision arrangements are being made to organise an event on the 15 June 2006 at the JJB Stadium in Wigan.  For further information please click here.