 |
About the Centre |  |
Good Practice |  |
Business Opportunities | |
Business Plan | |
Workstreams | |
Membership & Management |  |
|
||||||||||||||
Related Links News Updates |
News UpdateWeek Ending 27th January 2006
Procurers given the keys to unlock their supply chains
The 'Opening up Supply Chains' project is a key part of the Office of Government Commerce's programme to create a more competitive and diverse public sector marketplace that is inclusive of Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SME's), Voluntary & Community Organisations (VCO's) and Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMB's). This wider supplier base will benefit public sector procurers and increase their chances of achieving efficiency gains and value for money savings through the benefits that diversity in the supply chain offers.
For further information please click here.
OGC Energy Presentation at Rochdale Town Hall
The meeting at Rochdale Town Hall was a great success with representatives from seven Local Authorities coming together to hear presentations from OGC Buying Solutions and British Gas. The meeting was a good opportunity for all present to have their queries answered, with the presentations being interspersed with questions and open discussions.
The main points that came out of the meeting are that OGC Buying Solutions would be willing to offer up to a 50% reduction in their annual charges. This is dependent on the number of Authorities coming together to use the service. However, a firm commitment must be given by the 31st March 2006 to realise the full benefits offered.
In order to take this process forward we would like to hear from any Authority with energy contract starting in April so that a benchmarking exercise can be carried out. If you would like to participate please contact Thomas Daubney at Rochdale MBC - Tel: 01706 865417 / email: thomas.daubney@rochdale.gov.uk
Visionware / Multivue
NWeGG have been in discussion with Multivue regarding a number of councils in the region who are interested in buying the product. Multivue have approached NWCE with an offer of reduced costs for multiple purchases where authorities sign up together. NWCE are happy to coordinate this.
Can you check with your IT departments, Social Services departments and CRM users whether anybody in your council is considering purchasing Multivue. Please contact Beverley in the first instance with names and contact details and we will contact interested people.
Please click here to view a document displaying proposed reductions.
NWCE Members Half-Day Conference
The NWCE Members Conference held on 20th January 2006 at the Midland Hotel, Manchester was a great success. Thank you to all who attended. Information and documentation from the day (including presentations) can be found by clicking here.
eAuction Programme 2006-7
An eProcurement Workstream meeting is being held at the beginning of March 2006 – full details and papers will be distributed in the near future.
We need to draft an eAuctions programme for 2006 and would be grateful if you could provide details of any eAuctions under consideration as soon as possible.
For information about the eProcurement workstream or to provide details of eAuctions please contact Shelley at NWCE.
An eProcurement newsletter will be issued in early February. If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter but are not a member of the eProcurement workstream, please contact Shelley at NWCE.
Ministerial eGovernment Conference ‘Transforming Public Services’
To those of you who were unable to attend the above conference, please note that the conference proceedings, including presentations and video footage, are now available on the conference website: http://www.egov2005conference.gov.uk/ <http://www.egov2005conference.gov.uk/> .
There is also still some time to give your views on i2010 eGovernment policy by completing the questionnaire 'Your Voice on eGovernment 2010': http://europa.eu.int/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=eGov2010 <http://europa.eu.int/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=eGov2010>
Chief Executives Task Force
The Chief Executives Task Force provides the strategic leadership for the work of the nine Regional Centres of Excellence. Chaired by Tim Byles, Chief Executive of Norfolk County Council and ODPM National Procurement Champion, the group meets approximately every two months. The core composition of the Task Force includes the Chief Executive of each of the host authorities of the nine RCEs, key stakeholders from the ODPM, OGC and other central government departments where relevant along with representatives of the Performance Partnership (LGA, IDeA, 4Ps and the Employers Organisation).
Download Synopsis of CEXTF Meeting 17.01.06 (pdf, 18 pages, 106kb) Download the CEXTF Annual Report Aug 2005 (pdf, 9 pages, 518kb)
For further information please click here.
Tele Conferencing - Megamedia
This excellent facility is available for use across the UK and can be shared with colleagues. The facility costs 5p per minute and is utilised as follows: -
The meeting organiser should call into the system a little earlier than the planned time of the meeting. The first person to log in will hear music until the second person joins them. Full instructions are given on the touch tone system.
NWCE used this facility this week for a meeting regarding the eProcurement workstream, involving people from London, Cumbria, Tameside, Salford and Knowsley and the meeting took approximately 1 ½ hours. The benefits of using the system were:
If you know of any other, similar systems which may be of use or are more cost effective please contact Beverley at NWCE.
EVENTS
NWeGG Winter Full Members Meeting
The NWEGG Winter Full Members Meeting in Preston on February 2nd brings together many excellent and thought-provoking speakers, covering a host of topics relevant to Local Authorities at this time. This is an opportunity to hear the latest on the national scene and more on the NWEGG programme for 2006-8. Like all previous NWEGG events, there is no charge.
Topics to be covered include:
There will also be a small number of relevant commercial exhibitors.
More details of this and other events from NWeGG and our partners can be found here.
Improving Learning Disabilities Supported Living Services Workshop
A workshop aimed at Learning Disability providers and commissioners is being held on 7th March 2006 in Knowsley to discuss ways in which learning disability services providing supported living schemes can modernise to improve the quality and value for money they provide as well as their relevance to the strategic plans of their commissioners.
The workshop will discuss new ways of working including floating support models and use of assistive technology as a means of improving people’s independence. New developments including outcome based contracts, joint monitoring and jointly procuring services will be examined and discussed.
To view the flyer please click here.
If you are interested in attending this event, or for further information please contact Beverley at NWCE.
|
|
