News Update

Week Ending 23rd December 2005

Shared Services

A report 'Shared Services as a long-term solution for local government: delivering on the Gershon report' can be viewed by clicking here.  It was commissioned by Serco, www.serco.com and the survey asks finance directors how they propose to meet their efficiency targets. Twenty five percent of councils responded and the overwhelming majority see their efficiencies coming from shared services which they propose to implement in the next two years.  The report covers the models being adopted and the services that would most benefit from a shared approach.

Al full case study of Shared Services in Sydney - done by IDeA can also be viewed here. The drivers are quite different, the results are impressive… Five District Councils have collaboratively procured and built a state-of-the-art IT system supporting all the major functions of local government.  The system integrates technology from ten different suppliers and will cost a total of £54 million over ten years.  The councils partnered with CapGemini to design, build and manage the shared IT service.

OGC Buying Solutions Framework Agreement for Energy

A meeting is being held on 20th January 2006 at 1.00pm at Rochdale Town Hall with regards to an OGC Buying Solutions Framework Agreement for energy.  Discussions are being held as to this framework agreement being made available for sharing across the North West.  This meeting is an excellent opportunity for Energy Managers to look at what OGC can offer, and Sarah Leese, Senior Customer Liaison Manager with OGC Buying Solutions will be in attendance. 

We would encourage as many Energy Managers as possible to attend this meeting.  If you are interested in attending or would like further information please contact Bev at NWCE.

Season’s Greetings!

Season's greeting from all of us at the North West Centre of Excellence.  The progress and momentum we have built over the last 12 months is remarkable.  Thank you for your support and involvement. 

North West Centre of Excellence have created an online Christmas e-Card -  click here to view.   We have made a donation to Cancer Research UK for this Christmas Card which will help continue their life-saving research.