News Update

Week Ending 20th January 2006

NWCE Collaborative Workstream Case Studies

Collaborative workstream case studies issued by NWCE have been published on our website.  To view these case studies please visit the ‘good practice’ section of our website, or by clicking the links below:

·         Blackburn with Darwen Local Public Service Board

·         Chester City Council and Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council – Shared CMS Implementation

·         ICT Partnership – Chester and Crewe & Nantwich Councils

·         The Connected Cumbria Information Hub (The Excelsior System)

·         Cumbrian Procurement Initiative (CPI) – Consolidating Spend Analysis across the Cumbrian sub-region

·         East Lancashire Joint Consultation Project

·         Getting More From Less… The East Lancashire Procurement Service

·         FAB – Fylde Anite Blackpool

·         Greater Manchester Libraries Consortium

·         ‘Now People’ Local Authority Advertising Consortium

·         Out of Authority Placements Project across Manchester

·         Pendle Borough Council’s Public/Private Partnership with Liberata

Sub-Regional eProcurement Strategy Free of Charge Consulting Support

To support sub-regions in developing a tailored strategy and business case for procurement and e-procurement, the NWCE is offering a menu of support options based around the workshop model, to take place early 2006.  As each sub-region is at a different point in the definition of its strategy and business case a menu of support options is available and includes opportunities for:

• Progress and Validation Workshops (two workshops for the sub-region)
• Progress workshops only (one workshop for the sub-region)
• Validation workshop only (one workshop for the sub-region)
• Desk based review (no workshops)

This support is free of charge and based around the strategy and business case template that has been produced to provide a robust and consistent framework.

For more information about the NWCE e-procurement support programme, contact Miranda Carruthers-Watt (Assistant Director) on 0161 342 4081.

Network and Telephone Cabling Contract

Preston City Council is planning to go out to tender for network and telephone cabling.  Does anyone have documentation (ITT) that they are willing to share, information on an existing framework agreement, or have similar plans to tender and would like to discuss joint contracting? 

Please contact Tracey Dennis, Procurement Manager at Preston City Council - Tel: 01772 906778

Email: t.dennis@preston.gov.uk.

Society of Procurement Officers (SOPO) – Free Membership

The Society of Procurement Officers (SOPO) is offering free membership to elected members and Chief Executives how want to learn more about good procurement practice.

Log into http://www.sopo.org.uk/ to take advantage of your free membership

EVENTS

ODPM AES Toolkit Training, 14 February, Leeds

There will be an AES Toolkit Conference run by the ODPM for Northern authorities (not just the North West).  Places will be limited for the North West to approximately 30.  The event will be held at Leeds.  Further details will be forthcoming, but if you are interested please contact NWCE.

Changes to EU Procurement Directives

Peter Higson from Lancashire Police has organised for Fred Harvey (leading authority on EU Proc issues) to undertake a presentation/seminar on the forthcoming changes to the EU Procurement Directives.  This will take place at Lancashire Police HQ at Hutton near Preston on 25th January.

Peter has a number of places available at a cost of around £80 to £90 per person.

Anyone wishing to take up a place on this date should contact Peter directly on 01772 412889.

Twilight Seminar - An Introduction to Sustainable Development and BREEAM

Twilight Seminar - Thursday 9^th Feb 2006

An Introduction to Sustainable Development and BREEAM is part of the monthly series of twilight seminars which address key topical issues geared specifically towards the construction industry.

The seminar will take place on Thursday 9^th Feb 2006, at the CUBE Building, Portland Street, and will run from 4.30 to 6.30pm. with refreshments provided. There will be no charge for attendance, however please register quickly as places are limited.

For further information please click here.

CIPFA Procurement & Commissioning Forum

A - Z of Specification Writing - The Complete Guide

15th February 2006 (Cardiff), 20th February 2006 (London) & 21st February 2006 (Leeds)

Further details: Julie LeMasurier 020 8667 8598, www.ipfprocurement.net

CIPFA Procurement & Commissioning Forum

Public Sector Contract Management - Principles & Practices

22nd February 2006 (Birmingham) & 1st March 2006 (Glasgow)

Further details: Julie LeMasurier 020 8667 8598, www.ipfprocurement.net