News Update

Week Ending 31st March 2006

eInvoicing Collaboration

A number of authorities have shown an interest in collaborating on eInvoicing initiatives. If you have plans to introduce eInvoicing, have already implemented or tried to implement and encountered problems then we would like to hear from you. Initially, we would like to do some virtual experience sharing but may look to having a working group if there is demand. Please email Rebecca McDevitt if you would like to get involved.

Request for Information - Procurement/Adult Skills

The RCE’s have been asked by ODPM for information on any existing guidance/best practice/case studies in local government that demonstrate improvement in Adult Skills through procurement activities.  For example the OGC Social Note in Purchasing (which incorporates adult skills in terms of how contracting authorities can address this issue in each stage of the procurement cycle).

If anyone can help please contact Rehan Haidar on Rehan.Haidar@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

Eprocurement Newsletter

The March 2006 issue of our eProcurement newsletter has been issued and can be viewed by clicking here.  If you would like to be added to the distribution list for this newsletter but are not a member of the NWCE eProcurement workstream, please contact Beverley Brooks at NWCE.

Beacon Awards Announcement - Round 7

Please find below a link to the ODPM press release on the Beacon Awards announced this week.

Congratulations to the North West authorities involved.  Round seven Beacon Themes were:

For further information please click here.

Award for Recycling4Fylde&Wyre

The innovative ‘Recycling4Fylde&Wyre’ partnership between Wyre and Fylde Borough Councils has won a national award.  The prestigious Local Government Chronicle National Awards 2006 recognise the very best in the public sector.

Six councils from across the country competed for this accolade at a special ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London (on Monday 13 March) which was staged to celebrate the positive work which councils do.

For further information please click here.

Efficiency News – Issue 6 published

The sixth edition of Efficiency News has been published.  The newsletter is produced for local authorities and for others with an interest in all of the issues around the Efficiency Review as it affects local government.  This includes procurement and service delivery partnering arrangements, as well as keeping tracks on market intelligence.  The purpose of the newsletter is to stimulate interest in and inform debate of the opportunities being developed for achieving efficiency gains and to create a network of knowledge and contacts. We would therefore like to encourage readers to participate actively in the newsletter's development by providing us with case studies, articles, issues of best practice, details of forthcoming events and links to further information.

To view the newsletter please click here.

ODPM's Sustainable Development Action Plan

This action plan highlights ODPM's commitment to sustainable development through its policies for creating sustainable communities. It sets out how ODPM is contributing to the cross-Government UK Sustainable Development Strategy.  Please click here to view.

Supporting children and young people

Signposts, a new interactive tool developed by the IDeA and the NSPCC, will assist councillors and non-executive leads in the health service to ensure the safety of children and young people in their locality.  Please click here.

The Cultural Services Improvement Unit

Discover how the Cultural Services Improvement Unit seeks to build the capacity of local government and its partners, to achieve excellence in cultural services.  Please click here for further details.

Rethinking Service Delivery: What lies ahead for local e-government?

This is a transcript of the speech by Local e-Government Minister Jim Fitzpatrick to the Local Government Association conference on 21 March 2006. He talks about the benefits of e-solutions to local government.

Please click here to view.

New publication showcases good practice in council efficiency

A new booklet designed to put good practice in council efficiency firmly in the spotlight has been published by the RCEs.

From highlighting purchase cards in social care, streamlining the hire of agency staff to transforming the installation of council house heating systems, the booklet selects good practice from around the country that councils have introduced in a bid to improve efficiency and service outcomes.

Tim Byles, Chair of the Chief Executives' Task Force and Chief Executive of Norfolk CC said, "The booklet showcases the innovation and determination that local government is bringing to bear to improve its services by being more efficient. Efficiency is an enormously powerful lever to improve outcomes for local people and this publication highlights the many imaginative approaches that councils have taken. I hope that it inspires others to take up the challenge of service transformation."

Download Showcasing Good Practice

EVENTS

Programme and speakers announced for Socitm Spring Seminar 2006

Thursday 27 April 2006, The Reebok Stadium, Bolton

The technology promise: myth or reality?

The programme and speakers have been announced for the Socitm Spring Seminar 2006.  The event will be Chaired by TV presenter, Sarah Coburn.  For further information please click here.