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THE AGENDA for the BT event on November 23 is now available
and can be viewed here
 This event has been
organised by the NWCE in response to the concerns of many councils
about new BT billing practices.
The event will look at the new
arrangements and discuss ways that councils can reduce their BT expenditure
and administration.
The session takes place on November 23
at Wigan Investment
Centre. To find out more click
here.
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Focus
on a framework - driving down costs
 The NWCE's Focus on a Framework highlights key frameworks or
agreements that councils can use.
Does the cost of lease cars and vans
drive you crazy? This framework agreement can help councils save
money when leasing cars and vans.
This agreement
means public sector organisations no longer need to advertise for their
leasing requirements in the Official Journal of the European Union and
provides access to competitive prices and terms with 10 suppliers. It
also offers the ability to profit share - an option which has been
shown to be the most efficient way of leasing.
More information on this framework
agreement can be found here.
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 The October 2007 issue of Share It! - the bi-monthly
newsletter from the north west
Shared Services Programme, is now available.
This issue includes the latest news about CSR07 from an
efficiency and service transformation viewpoint, major extensions to the
Business Improvement Package (Bip) website and how all five of the
sub-regions have now put forward successful bids for funding to support
their shared service ambitions.
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A
better waste-line for the environment
 New proposals with cost benefits of around £1.1m have
been set out in a consultation published by Environment Minister Joan
Ruddock on October 11, 2007.
New business targets would come into effect in January 2008
to help the UK
meet its obligations under the EC Packaging Directive. Higher targets are
proposed for 2009 and beyond to increase the
level of recovery and recycling.
Recycling packaging reduces CO2 emissions because less
energy is used to extract and process recycled materials and reduces
reliance on landfill.
The cost benefits are based on the difference between the estimated
costs to producers of £7.7m, and carbon savings estimated at £8.8m.
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 A new online tool that will help construction companies plan
carbon-wise projects and reduce their carbon footprint has been launched by
the Environment Agency.
The spreadsheet-based tool, which from November 2007 will be
mandatory to use during the planning stage on all major Environment Agency
construction projects, is now being made available to other construction
companies, government bodies and consultants.
Access the calculator and more
information here.
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Know
your placements
cut
costs without cutting corners
 SOCIAL care experts in the north west can get the low-down on a new
national care costing tool for adult social care.
The NWCE is holding
two, half-day events on October 30, at the Birchwood Centre, Warrington,
that will explain to delegates how the toolkit is being developed, how it
will work and the potential savings it can bring for councils buying
placements.
The north west project board, along with
other similar regional project boards, is being developed by a north west project
board and is due to be launched in March 2008.
Places at the event will be strictly limited to two representatives from
each local authority - attendance will enable authorities to sign up
for the pilot phase.
View the event
flyer or click
here to book your place.
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Transforming
service delivery
 THE NWCE has an exclusive offer for council representatives
who wish to know more about the impact of CSR07.
The NWCE's regional director Colin Cram is speaking at the Transforming
Service Delivery Conference to be held at the QEII Conference Centre on
October 30 and two delegates can book a place at the event for the
price of one.
The conference will look at CSR07 and its effect on local government, and
will focus on the recommendations made in the Local Government White Paper
- 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' with regard to re-shaping public
services and partnership working in the challenging financial climate.
The standard rate is £195 plus vat and the 2 for 1 offer is on a first
come, first served basis.
Call Naz Malik on 0161 211 3030 or email naz.malik@govnet.co.uk
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Telecoms
workshop
November
23, 2007, Wigan Investment Centre
 MANY local authorities are feeling the effect of new billing
and other charges introduced by British Telecom.
This session will
look at how councils can reduce these charges and possibly reduce their
invoice values with BT.
For
more information click here.
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Sourcing
sustainable solutions - Meet the Buyers
November
21, 2007, Manchester
 THE NWCE will be supporting a sustainable procurement event in
Manchester
in November.
Sourcing Sustainable Solutions -
Meet the Buyers will provide delegates with the opportunity to meet
suppliers who can provide innovative environmental and sustainable products
and services.
A unique feature of the event will be pre-arranged meetings with suppliers,
selected according to delegates' criteria. Delegates can tell the organiser
their specific areas of interest, when booking,
and the information will be used to research and identify suppliers that
match their criteria. On the day of the event, delegates can take part in a
series of private, pre-scheduled meetings with the pre-matched suppliers.
The event on November 21 is free to attend for buyers. For further
information and/or to book a place click here.
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Sustainable
procurement conference
December
6, 2007, Sefton
Town Hall
 THE NWCE is hosting a sustainable procurement conference to
consider the latest information and discuss the suppliers in this area.
Delegates will also be given the
time for discussion and debate on the way forward for the north west region.
For
more information click here.
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The
3rd Annual NwEGG Conference
New
Frontiers for Transformation
December
12, 2007, Manchester
Central
 The 3rd Annual NWeGG Conference promises to be an explosive
event!
For a 38ft rocket -
the SKYBOLT - will take centre stage at the conference that will look at
'New Frontiers for Transformation'.
The SKYBOLT is the
brainchild of Manchester
man Steve Bennett and Starchaser Industries. Steve is proof that with
determination and a will to succeed, anyone can turn vision into reality
and he'll be explaining at the conference how pushing the boundaries can
often lead to the achievement of the seemingly impossible.
There will also be
a host of other speakers at the event who will be
discussing how the transformational government agenda can also go
beyond the norm to create public services that are fit for the 21st
Century.
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North West Centre of
Excellence
Room 5.15, Council
Offices, Wellington Road,
Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6DL
www.nwce.gov.uk
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