Transport teams from Nottinghamshire Councils have been working in partnership since 2005 to generate savings and gain value for money in their procurement of new vehicles and training, devising a ‘single tender process'. Thus far, nine authorities have together made savings of over £1.75 million. Building on the initial procurement strategy for Refuse Collection Vehicles, the consortium has now extended this single tender process to panel vans, training and tyre maintenance.

In taking steps to challenge itself and effect change, Lincolnshire Transport Services Group has achieved significant savings in the past two years. The trial and subsequent introduction of e-auctions as a new model for awarding Public Service Vehicle contracts for school travel has already driven savings of more than £270,000 per academic year. This will total more than £1.3 million over a five-year period, across only 10 e-auctions.

East Lindsey and South Holland District Councils have forecast £19.5 million in savings over the next ten years with a 42% return on investment, by developing a unique Merged Services project that, so far, outlines the re-design of five identified service areas; HR, IT, Finance, Customer Services, Revenues and Benefits.

A joint project between Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council, sponsored by East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (EM IEP), has developed and launched a kitemark to recognise care homes that demonstrate ‘Dignity in Care.’