Category management is simply a way of the council managing its buying activity by grouping together related products and services such as ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), vehicles or stationery, across the council and mapping them onto a supplier market.

An innovative training approach has enabled authorities in the East Midlands to make lasting improvements to their services whilst saving money and building internal capability.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) agreed with the Government to operate a Joint Improvement Partnership (JIP) in each region to support improvement in adult social care. Each region has a JIP programme led by directors of adult social services and a national Joint Improvement Programme Board monitors delivery of the regional programmes.

Lincolnshire County Council have used an ‘internal review’ approach to achieving whole council Investors in People (IIP) status.