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NWIEP update
 THE
business strategy for the North West improvement and Efficiency
Partnership has now been submitted by the IDeA to CLG.The IDeA proposal is availablehere. The proposal
- the first submission - incorporates the NWCE's business plan that
was approved recently by the NWCE Management Board.
The NWCE
has committed to keeping stakeholders informed of the progress of
the plan and the development of the North West Improvement and
Efficiency Partnership in future editions of its bi-weekly
newsletter - Central
Intelligence. |
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Fresh look at procurement
 COUNCIL
procurement teams could become more efficient and deliver better
value by adopting the recommendations of a new report launched this
week by the North West Centre of Excellence.
'Is Buying A Burden?' is a detailed study
of the third party spend of local authorities in the region that
reveals, among other things, that 64 per cent of the region's £6.5bn
a year spend is invoiced within the region and a different, but
overlapping, 64 per cent is with small to medium
enterprise.
The report, launched at the 4th National
Public Sector Procurement Conference, also reveals that, of the
estimated 200 people currently operating in professional procurement
units within the region's councils, around 50 per cent are
professionally qualified.
It contains a range of recommendations for
councils in the region and reveals that, although collaboration is a
'well-worn theme', there are strong arguments for it to be developed
and encouraged.
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Consultancy masterclass
 THE NWCE is
hosting an event that is a must for all council officers who have to
buy in consultancy services.
The consultancy masterclass at 9am on
February 22 will show officers how to buy-in consultancy services
more efficiently and get the most for your money.
Currently, in the north west,
consultancy is the third highest spend area - seven per
cent.
Neil Hind, procurement programme director, commented: "The
NWCE has already developed a consultancy framework register which
will show councils whether or not they are you getting the best
rates for consultants using pre-agreed frameworks.
"But more can be done. The event at The
Red Rose Hub in Preston will show local authorities what to buy and
how to buy it."
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Focus on a framework - cook up some
savings
WANT to cook up some savings? This agreement can help councils
save money when buying combi ovens.
It offers a
free care pack, worth up to £1000 to customers who purchase an Eloma
Combi Oven before March 31, 2008. The pack includes a
site survey, delivery, installation, commissioning, a water
treatment system and a demonstration for users tailored to their
specific requirements.
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Viva la virus
 FIVE north
west councils have agreed to take part in an NWCE and East Lancs
Partnership project looking at buying anti-virus software in bulk.
The
Sophos Anti Virus is the product that has been chosen , and to date
Cheshire CC, Lancashire CC, Ribble Valley, Hyndburn and Blackburn
with Darwen have agreed to take this further.
Councils can still join the project - contact
neil.hind@hind.co.uk by
February 22, 2008.
It is
expected the contract will be placed through a mini-tender and
possibly an eAuction in late spring. The NWCE may also consider
other manufacturers of anti-virus software at a later
date. |
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Manchester bids for savings
 E-AUCTIONS
have saved Manchester city council £13.2 million on a £54.5 million
spend over a wide range of products, with an e-auction programme
that started in 2006.
The NWCE worked in partnership with
Manchester to promote the event and encourage participation among
other councils.
A case study has been prepared - read more
here. |
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Playmates wanted
 COUNCILS that
have recently replaced or looked into replacing playground
equipment such as skate parks, play equipment and multi-use games
areas could help a north west authority.
Fylde Borough Council is looking at going out to
tender for playground equipment and wants help from councils
who have already been down this route.
Fylde would also like to hear from any councils that
have a framework agreement covering the development and construction
of playground equipment.
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Join up to carbon trading
 NORTH west
councils who need to get carbon-wise can do so with the help of a
new publication released this week.
The LgiU, supported by the North West
Centre of Excellence, has produced a useful guidance note on carbon
trading for councils.
The note which is designed to put councils
in the picture about carbon trading is being published in advance of
the launch of the Carbon Trading Councils scheme in April.
Carbon Trading Councils will be launched by
Elliot Morley MP and will help councils to develop best carbon
trading practice before carbon trading becomes a reality in
2010.
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Bag a date with the Big 5
 A
NEW date has been set for the next
What's in it for us? event - Tracking the Big 5.
The key event, previously scheduled for
March 19, will now be held on March 4, 2008 at Wigan Investment
Centre.
Updates on activity
from the Big 5 - the sub-regional shared services groups -
will also be backed up with a presentation from Lindsay
McKenna wildlife conservationist and motivational speaker. She will
be revealing how local authorities can learn a lot about operating
effectively and efficiently from the animal kingdom.
For an agenda, or to register click
here. |
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Share It!
 THE February
2008 issue of Share It! the bi-monthly north west shared services
programme newsletter, which provides information on the North West
Shared Services Programme is now available.
This issue
includes news about the re-arranged 'Tracking the Big 5' event, an
update on the free BPI training, the South Ribble Borough Council
and Chorley Borough Council shared services feasibility study and a
case study about Warrington's back office functions that
perform common processes |
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Putting projects on the right track
 PROGRAMME and
project management support will soon be available to councils
online, with the help of a new virtual project support
office.
The virtual support office is the product of Right
Track North West, an award winning project. Research carried
out in 2006 found there were some 10,000 to 15,000 people managing
projects in north west councils, mostly alongside day jobs, and
councils need help to address project and programme management
leadership and skill gaps.
The online resource, also known as Right Track
Northwest, will offer access to training and consultancy
frameworks, a contact list of programme and project managers
and a range of other services.
Right Track Northwest will initially be free to
NWeGG members, but it is hoped that it will become a free resource
for all local government organisations and partners.
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Lights, camera, eAuction
 OGC e-auctions
have saved the tax payer around £22.5 million to date.
E-auctions are becoming increasingly popular within the public
sector.
Find out more in a case study from OGC - click
here. |
North West Centre of
Excellence
Room 5.15, Council Offices, Wellington
Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6DL
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