| EMCE Annual Survey Results |
Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete our annual survey, as with last year’s survey the East Midlands Centre of Excellence canvassed the opinion of local authority officers, members, chief executives and leaders in the region.
The results of the second survey allow the EMCE to compare its performance year on year for the first time. An overview of the results can be downloaded. [download PDF document] |
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| Defra Municipal Waste Statistics 2006/07 |
The latest 2006/07 figures – the third year that results have been based on information supplied by local authorities in England - show that the overall recycling rate has increased to 31%. For the second year in a row Defra are also proud to state that 100 per cent of waste collection authorities responded with their figures.
East Midlands waste collection authorities are well represented in the top ten recycling authorities, the most improved, and also in the lowest residual household waste categories. To see where your authority ranked download this spreadsheet. [download MS Excel document] |
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| East Midlands local authority spend and savings via OGCbuying.solutions (2007-08) |
Using independent benchmarking of their offerings, OGC has calculated that local authorities in the East Midlands have spent £12.9m via OGCbuying.solutions, and saved over £1.1m by using OGCbuying.solutions frameworks and managed services, for the period 1st April 2007 to 30th September 2007.
Covering Letter [download MS Word document]
Local Authority Breakdown [download MS Excel document] |
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| Use of Resources 2009: Comprehensive Area Assessment consultation |
The government’s White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities, published in October 2006, set out wide-ranging proposals for supporting the improvement of local services.
It proposed giving local people more opportunities to influence the way local services are run, strengthening the way councils provide leadership, and encouraging all those involved in delivering local services to work together more effectively.
In response, the Audit Commission has published a consultation document entitled "Use of Resources 2009 - Comprehensive Area Assessment consultation". This document details the Key Lines of Enquiries proposed under the Use of Resources, and provides you with the opportunity to comment and feed back to the Audit Commission on the proposals.
Covering Document [download MS Word document]
Main Report [download PDF document]
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| Care Services Efficiency Delivery Newsletter |
CSED is working in partnership with Councils, Care Services Improvement Partnership and the Department of Health to support the delivery of real efficiency gains and to improve the quality of care.
[download PDF document] |
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| Strategic Asset Management Guidance |
Since the late 1990s, Asset Management has moved closer to the forefront of local authority corporate planning. The resulting change in emphasis has been widely acknowledged by local government property practitioners and there has been much discussion and guidance issued by professional bodies and groups.
These new guidelines have been commissioned by the EMCE to emphasise the importance of introducing property asset planning and management into the corporate and service planning process in a timely and appropriate manner
.As such, this guidance is directed at those engaged in corporate and service planning. The guidance is not intended to provide detailed advice on how to translate asset planning outcomes into action or delivery on the ground – this is understood and varies to suit local circumstances.
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The publication fits in with the EMCE’s role as national RCE lead on construction and property, whereby the EMCE is concerned with identifying and showcasing examples of successful local authority programmes in housing, general building and highways. In highlighting key characteristics and the efficiencies they are delivering, it is hoped to encourage and inspire others to adopt similar principles to assist in meeting their efficiency targets. [download PDF document] |
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| Standard Documents Press Release |
Doing business with local authorities will now be easier with a national scheme to cut bureaucracy, reduce duplication and simplify the buying of goods and services.
Four Regional Centres of Excellence have worked together to produce simpler procurement documents, which should encourage more small and medium sized firms to compete for contracts.
Press Release [download MS Word document] |
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| Delivering Value for Money in Local Government: Meeting the challenge of CSR07 |
Councils have a long track record of enhancing value for money in public services, with excellent progress made in the 2004 Spending Review (SR04) period. During 2004-05 to 2007-08, councils are forecast to make cash-releasing efficiencies of £3.3 billion, comfortably exceeding Gershon requirements.
The challenge is to build on that progress and further embed a culture of innovation and focus on value for money. The 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR07) takes place in a tight fiscal context. All public services have been set a target of achieving at least 3% net cash-releasing value for money gains per annum over 2008-09 to 2010-11. Councils are expected to achieve £4.9 billion cash-releasing efficiency by 2010-11. This will be challenging, but can be done, provided local and central government fulfil their roles to maximise the potential of local services.
This Value for Money Plan develops themes from the Local Government White Paper and National Improvement and Efficiency Strategy (NIES) to set out a route map for meeting the efficiency challenge, outlining for councils key means to achieve efficiency and support activities designed to promote them.
Deliver Value for Money: [download PDF document]
Performance Framework: [download PDF document] |
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| The New Performance Framework for Local Authorities & Local Authority Partnerships: Single Set of National Indicators |
| This document sets out the headline definitions of the 198 indicators which will underpin the new performance framework. This national indicator set has been developed as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 so that it reflects the Government’s national priorities. Performance against each of the 198 indicators will be reported for every single tier and county council Local Strategic Partnership. [download PDF document] |
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| Strategic Review of the Welland Partnership |
The Welland Partnership came into being in 2000. It comprises five councils which recognised their common interests as rural councils with market towns.
Over a period of six years, the partnership has been recognised regionally and nationally as a remarkable success in drawing in funding for regeneration and service improvement.
The Partnership engaged Accord Consulting to assess its strengths and the reasons for its success, the following report details the outcomes of this study. [download PDF document] |
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| Waste management online resource gives access to all |
To celebrate the Waste Information Network’s (WIN) first birthday, new features have been added including opening access to all who are looking for up to date waste management information. Developed by the South East Centre of Excellence, WIN has steadily grown to become one of the most comprehensive web based resources for waste professionals. [download MS Word document] |
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| Establishment of London Authorities' Mutual Ltd (LAML) |
Following 2 years LCE funding, LAML went live on 1 April 2007. LAML is a UK public sector first. A registered insurance company that is owned by its member local authorities, and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
LAML was established by London authorities for London authorities and is able to offer premiums 15% lower than its rivals, together with enhanced service levels. [download PDF document] |
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| OGC Temporary Staff Times |
OGC Temporary Staff Times is published for those in the public sector who use temporary agency staff, and includes an important update on BERR
consultation concerning an Increase in Holiday Entitlement. [download PDF document] |
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| Delivering Efficiency Now |
Councils are being urged to see the bigger picture if they want to take advantage of opportunities to save £1.2 billion over the next five years.
A booklet just published by the Regional Centres of Excellence (RCEs), called Delivering Efficiency Now…Laying Foundations for the Future, reveals their groundbreaking research, which, for the first time ever, paints a national picture of local authorities’ spending.
News Release [download MS Word document]
Publication [download PDF document] |
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| New guidance launched to boost council contract management |
With English councils spending over £40 billion a year with 200,000 suppliers, new guidance has been published in a bid to improve the management of local authority contracts with the private sector.
‘You and Your Contractor’ encourages councils to adopt a more commercial approach to contract management to make sure that the intended benefits of a contract are delivered and best value is achieved.
The guidance was funded by the London Centre of Excellence (LCE) and prepared by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.
Contract Management News Release [download MS Word document] |
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| DD Self Assessment Toolkit |
Councils could potentially be saving £millions on the administrative costs of their council tax collection, according to a report by Voca the electronic payment specialists.
The Institute of Revenues Ratings and Valuation (IRRV) following their joint work with Voca, Audit Commission and the Centres of Excellence has now launched a self-assessment framework for councils to measure their current collection operations against best practice in order to improve electronic payment processes and achieve efficiencies. [download PDF document] |
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| Councils and Highways Agency join forces in groundbreaking highways partnership |
Ten councils and the Highways Agency are joining forces in a major new venture to improve the design and delivery of highways projects and drive through efficiency gains.
The Midland Highways Alliance (MHA) is set to go live on Tuesday 17th July when ten East Midlands highways authorities and the Highways Agency sign the Alliance Agreement at a ceremony hosted by Leicestershire County Council, the lead authority.
By working together, the MHA aims to reap efficiency gains of up to 10% on contracts, speed up procurement and deliver schemes to a higher standard.
News Release [download MS Word document] |
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| 4ps Awards for Excellence in Local Government |
Nottinghamshire County Council and Robert Woodhead Ltd were highly commended for successful partnership working at the 4ps Awards for Excellence. The partnership failed to secure the winners spot in the ‘Best private sector partner’ category, but did secure highly commended status.
Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) and Robert WoodheadLtd delivered a four-year programme of school extensions, refurbishment, repair and maintenance work. The partnership has been a real catalyst for change, new working processes adopted by both partners have not only improved efficiency but also delivered excellent results for service users.
A case study of the project titled Notts CC and Woodhead Ltd: A Passion for Excellence is available to download: [More information here] |
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| CLG Efficiency Newsletter: Issue 14 |
This newsletter is produced for local authorities with an interest in all of the issues around the Efficiency Review as it affects local government. This months edition includes a spotlight on the work of the London and North East Centres of Excellence. [download PDF document] |
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| RCE News Release: Making Direct Debit Work |
Councils could potentially be saving £millions on the administrative costs of their council tax collection, according to a report by Voca the electronic payment specialists.
The report, commissioned by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), revealed there is huge scope for local authorities to make major savings by increasing the take up of direct debit in payment of council tax.
The Institute of Revenues Ratings and Valuation (IRRV) following their joint work with Voca, Audit Commission and the Centres of Excellence has now launched a self-assessment framework for councils to measure their current collection operations against best practice in order to improve electronic payment processes and achieve efficiencies. [download MS Word document] |
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| EMCE News Release: Regional Framework to Improve Children’s Services |
Children and young people’s service partners across the East Midlands have signed up to the first ever regional commissioning framework designed to improve the way care services are commissioned.
An ambitious project, it involved the regional collaboration of a number of agencies, including health, social care, education, voluntary and community organisations. It was coordinated by the Regional Partnership and funded by the East Midlands Centre of Excellence.
The framework, which was officially launched in May, consists of a website and a handbook offering resources and materials, and a step-by-step guide to support commissioning.
[download MS Word document]
Visit www.regionalcommissioning.co.uk for more information. |
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| Driving Excellence in Derbyshire: A Local Authority guide to Transport Operation |
A partnership of Derbyshire local authorities has developed a local authority guide to transport operation. This new guide shares expertise and ideas, opportunities to develop new ways of reducing risk and improving safety, sharing and using our resources more efficiently to save money and joining forces to protect the environment.
Inside you’ll find five sections covering the key areas faced by any large organisation to ensure its vehicle fleet runs safely and efficiently: The ‘O’ Licence, Drivers’ duties, Maintenance, Duty of care, and Hired in vehicles. [download PDF document] [download PDF case study] |
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| The Welland Partnership Shared Services Newsletter |
| The Welland Partnership is actively involved in Shared Services and produces a bi-monthly newsletter for staff and other interested parties them informed of their progress. [download MS Word document] |
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| Transforming Government Procurement |
OGC is working with Commercial Directors across Whitehall and other key stakeholders to ensure that pan-government collaborative procurement strategies are implemented for categories of common spend that offer the greatest opportunities. Four early pilots are underway in Energy (MoD sponsor), Fleet (NHS PaSA sponsor), Travel and Office Solutions (both OGCbuying.solutions sponsor).
An open letter from OGC details 13 current commercial arrangements available to government. [download Word document] |
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| Procurement Agency for Essex: 2007 Annual Report |
| Established by the Essex Chief Executive Association in April 2004 the PAE is the UK’s first example of a genuinely cross public sector, self-funding & county wide Procurement organisation working to exploit the full benefits available from collaborative procurement. [download PDF document] |
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| Nottinghamshire Construction Framework Newsletter - Issue 2 |
Issue two of the NCF Newsletter details progress made by the partnership since the partnerships formal launch in December 2006. The newsletter details how three major construction projects are progressing rapidly due to joint framework training and the development of a dedicated partnership supply chain.
Covering Letter - [download MS Word document]
NCF Newsletter - Issue Two [download PDF document] |
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| Joint Procurement of Refuse Collection Vehicles in Nottinghamshire |
Can you imagine sending eight people to a car dealership and getting them to agree to purchase exactly the same model for a fleet of cars?
This is exactly what the eight waste collection authorities in Nottinghamshire successfully achieved when they joined forces to procure Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs).
For more information download the latest press release and case study:
RCV Press Release (030507) [download MS Word document]
RCV Case Study [download PDF document] |
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| OGC Temporary Staff Times |
| In this issue: |
- Update: DTI consultation on increasing agency staff holiday entitlement
- Illegal! Rolled up holiday pay
- Latest case law: James v Greenwich
- New collaborative contract available: ESPO’s vendor neutral deal with Comensura
[download PDF document]
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| Developing the local government services market |
In 2004 the CLG commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to undertake a study into the future development of the local government services market. This involved a dialogue with over 300 between commissioners, service providers and policy makers.
The study had the following objectives to:
assess the levels of market effectiveness across a range of Local Government sectors;
identify the potential future development challenges and opportunities facing key markets; and
provide an overview of the key strategic issues relevant to Government, local government, and the supply community in further developing the market as a whole.
The following publications comprise the initial feedback from this project.
Asset management and construction [download PDF document]
Public library service [download PDF document]
Executive Report. [download PDF document] |
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| East Mids authorities lead the way in benchmarking customer service levels |
GovMetric is a service developed by rol that enables local authorities to consistently and continuously measure both the quality and the quantity of customer interactions across all of their channels and services. These documents provide an overview of the initial results observed by the local authorities participating in the first phase of the GovMetric pilot, which commenced in September 2006.
GovMetric report on the East Midlands [download PDF document]
GovMetric results from the East Midlands [download PDF document] |
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| RCE News Release: First local authority insurance mutual in a hundred years |
History was made on Sunday 1st April when the first local authority insurance company established in over a century.
The London boroughs of Brent and Harrow will place business with the company from day one, while the eight other founding authorities will follow over the coming months.
The mutual has been established with funding from the London Centre of Excellence, in response to concerns about the limited number of local government insurance providers and the difficulties authorities in the capital face in achieving best value for their insurance premiums.
The mutual aims to bring down the costs of premiums by as much as 15% in a market dominated by just three providers and forms part of the government’s wider efficiency drive for local government.
RCE News Release [download MS Word document] |
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| SCAPE considers increasing the use of offsite construction methods |
The following information sheet describes the SCAPE system, and highlights the potential for an increase in offsite content to improve efficiency and value in Local Authority construction projects.
[download PDF document] |
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| WMCE Regional Collaboration Procedure |
The following guidance will enable local authorities to make contracts available for use across the region on an “opt in basis”. The simple process is designed to directly create Gershon savings across the region by saving councils’ and public organisations from carrying out unnecessary tendering exercises, when contracts already exist within the region that meet their operational requirements. The process is outlined in the following four page download which can be modified as required.
[download MS Word document] |
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Minister launches new BIP drive for council improvement |
Local Government Minister, Phil Woolas, today published the Business Improvement Package (BIP) for local authorities – one of the key commitments of last year’s Local Government White Paper.
It urges local authorities to deliver leaner operational management to reduce inefficiencies, join up services and adopt a customer-led service culture. The Business Improvement Package is designed help local authorities and their partners improve services by adopting new methods.
Communities and Local Government are holding a series of regional events with local authorities over the coming weeks to help shape the development of the business improvement materials that will be made available through the BIP during 2007/08.
For further information please see www.bip.rcoe.gov.uk and download the following
CLG press release. [download MS Word document] |
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LGC Awards 2007 |
For the ninth year running the LGC received a record number or entries. The hundreds of submissions are testament to councils’ determination to demonstrate excellence.
High Peak BC were the biggest winners on the night, carrying away the coveted Council of the Year Award. Judges were impressed with the ambition and resourcefulness of High Peak BC. Performance management systems and emphasis on efficiency and value-for-money has enabled it to deliver excellent services with low council taxes. Also outstanding are the council’s partnerships – from working with a neighbouring district to provide a joint housing service, to the private sector to regenerate Buxton Opera House.
Quote: “This is the first time we have entered in any category, so I’m absolutely delighted to have won.”
Peter Sloman, Chief Executive, High Peak BC
Several other East Midlands authorities were also shortlisted for awards, Bassetlaw DC were shortlisted for the Finance Award. Bassetlaw’s revenue team, who plan, implement and deliver effective direct debit campaigns for council tax payment were commended.
Derby City Council were shortlisted for the Local Strategic Partnership Award, and commended primarily for developing a multi-agency performance management system to improve the monitoring of key priorities and targets across the council and the Derby City Partnership.
Finally, Leicester City Council were also shortlisted for the People Management Award, although they narrowly missed winning, they were highly commended for making great strides in dealing with the national problem of low recruitment and retention rates in the care sector.
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| A Practical Introduction to Biodiesel and its Use |
Interest in Biodiesel has been rising steadily over the last few years. Like many renewable energy technologies, fuel form vegetable oil has progressed from being a fringe interest of a few green enthusiasts to being a mainstream solution to the problem of climate change and sustainable energy supply.
As with all sustainable technology, there are pitfalls to avoid. Choosing fuel from the wrong sources negates the environmental benefits associated with biodiesel. This report from Rebecca Craske, of the Nottingham Energy Partnership, aims to guide fleet managers around the pitfalls surrounding the potential for using biodiesel as a diesel replacement.
A Practical Introduction to Biodiesel and its Use: Nottingham Energy Partnership
[download PDF document] |
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| RCE News Release: Cutting the Cost of Energy |
A new initiative from the Regional Centres of Excellence (RCEs) which is set to cut London authorities’ annual £160 million energy bill is being launched and its message is clear – don’t go it alone when buying energy supplies.
The initiative – the Local Government Energy Procurement Action Plan – calls on authorities to review their energy procurement strategies. And the advice is paying off as one London borough already anticipates saving over £300,000 on its gas and electricity bills.
RCE News Release [download MS Word document] |
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| Location Independent Working Toolkit |
This toolkit shows how to implement a “Location Independent Working” project comprising hotdesking, homeworking and remote working – with a view to assisting you to understand the costs, benefits and challenges of this way of working.
These documents have been produced for the Derbyshire Transformational Partnership to use and comprise of a toolkit for implementing a LIW project; a proforma business case to assist you in identifying the cashable and non-cashable savings from embarking on such a project; project selection criteria and a draft implementation plan detailing key tasks for you to adapt to suit your particular requirements and time-frames.
LIW Presentation [download MS Powerpoint document]
LIW Pilot Selection Process [download MS Excel document]
LIW Business Case [download MS Excel document]
LIW Implementation Plan [download MS Project document] |
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| East Midlands CPA Analysis 2006 |
Local government continues to rise to the challenge of the annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), with 79 per cent of single tier and county councils reaching the top two star rating categories. However, the Audit Commission has warned of a growing gap between excellent and poor councils as those at the top of the table leave the worst increasingly far behind. The pace of improvement was highest in the top performing councils, while the bottom councils appear to be staying where they are.
The East Midlands results included one significantly improving authority and one deteriorating authority. Leicestershire CC improved from three stars to four, whilst Rutland CC lost a star and became the only East Midland authority to achieve one star status.
East Midlands CPA Analysis 2006 [download PDF document] |
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| Framework contract for agency staff set to deliver efficiency savings |
A group of 14 East Midland councils have joined together in a collaborative exercise to engage a leading managed service provider of temporary agency staff to provide a ‘vendor neutral’ management service for a minimum of three years.
It is estimated that the combined spend of those currently participating in the framework is in the region of £4million per annum and could realise cashable savings of 10% per annum. For more information see the following news release. [download MS Word document] |
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| Refocused Role for OGC |
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, John Healey MP, has today announced the Government’s intentions for the transformation of procurement and the role of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in achieving this. The following documents offer more detailed information.
Letter from John Oughton, Chief Executive of OGC [download PDF document]
HM Treasury 'Transforming Government Procurement' [download PDF document]
OGC announcement welcomed (RCE Press Release) [download MS Word document] |
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| New guidance for councils to cut the cost of consultants |
New guidance has been published which is set to transform the way councils procure consultants in a bid to cut local government’s growing consultancy bill.
With funding from the London Centre of Excellence, the guidance has been drawn up jointly by the City of London Corporation and the London Borough of Hounslow and seeks to make a 10% year-on-year efficiency gain on consultancy spending. [download MS Word document] |
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| Nottinghamshire Officially Showcases New 'Construction Framework Agreement' |
Three East Midland construction companies have officially joined forces with Nottinghamshire County Council to help build the authority’s schools, libraries and offices until 2010. The Notts Construction Framework is set to deliver significant cashable savings to East Midland’s Local Authorities through a £120m partnership. Representatives of the partnership are shown with the signed partnership charter. [download PDF document] |
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| National Fire and Rescue Services Bulletin |
The South West Centre of Excellence (EMCE) is national lead for the Fire and Rescue work stream. This short bulletin provides an overview of the work being undertaken by the SWCE - and the wider RCE Network - to support the delivery of efficiency savings in the Fire and Rescue Services.
[download PDF document] |
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| EMCE Survey Feedback 2006 |
Results from a recent two part EMCE survey are now available. The first report concerns the performance of the EMCE during 2006, and the second report details your opinion on how well the improvement and efficiency agenda is progressing within your authority.
EMCE Survey Results [download PDF document]
AES Targets Survey [download PDF document] |
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| National Construction Workstream Bulletin |
| The East Midlands Centre of Excellence (EMCE) is managing the national lead for construction and this bulletin provides an overview of the work being undertaken by the EMCE to support the local government construction agenda. [download PDF document] |
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| London set to drive down costs of running parking services |
Motorists’ complaints that parking practices are inconsistent across London could be a thing of the past if all London local authorities join a ground-breaking initiative that could revolutionise parking across the capital. Parking chiefs from the Central London authorities have called on their counterparts in the rest of London to join the Partnerships in Parking (PiP) project in a bid to improve motorists’ experience of parking and drive down the costs of running parking services.
[download MS Word document] |
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| Regional Sustainable Procurement Practioners Group |
Terms of reference for the Regional Sustainable Procurement Practioners Group.
[download MS Word document] |
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| Proclass: A Procurement Classification for Local Government |
The need for a standard approach to procurement classification has been recognised by a number of local authorities involved in collaborative projects for some time, the increased focus on the efficiency and service improvement delivery agenda has meant that this has, now more than ever, become a key issue.
This new standardised classification system was developed in workshops attended by participants from 25 local authorities, a consensus as to the parameters of the new classification system was agreed by the authorities involved and by the Directors of the RCE’s. The new common approach to classification was then developed and has been named ‘ProClass’.
The new ProClass procurement classification system has been incorporated into The Observatory database and compliments the existing Thompson and SIC formats.
Further information about the derivation of ProClass and its applicability, the structure itself, and the mappings to other common classifications and coding structures can be obtained by downloading the following document. [download PDF document] |
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| Chief Executives’ Task Force annual report calls on councils to embrace new ways of providing services |
The body that oversees the work of the nine Regional Centres of Excellence (RCEs) concludes in its annual report that an acceleration of shared services between local authorities is one of the key tools in the drive towards greater efficiency – in step with one of the themes of the recently published White Paper.
The Chief Executives’ Task Force annual report for 2005/06, ‘Local government: a more efficient public service’, provides an analysis of local government’s track record on efficiency and a summary of the performance of the RCEs. It sets out the challenges facing local government and the RCEs as the efficiency and improvement agenda is about to intensify.
Press Release [download PDF document]
CXTF Annual Report [download PDF document] |
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| Developing the local government services market to support the long term strategy for local government |
This report presents key findings from an analysis of the local government market. It considers key challenges and opportunities faced by markets in local government services and identifies issues influencing the effectiveness of competition across the sector. It discusses these challenges and issues in relation to a long-term strategy for local government.
[more information here]
Executive Summary [download PDF document] |
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| Value For Money Indicators for Public Sector Core Functions |
| At the beginning of 2006 KPMG were commissioned to develop a set of Value For Money (VFM) indicators that could be used by public service providers to help spot opportunities for improvement and in taking decisions about the right form of service delivery. The following report highlights their summary and conclusions. [download PDF document] |
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| EM LawShare Consort Newsletter |
Welcome to the first edition of ConsortEM, the EM Lawshare Consortium’s quarterly newsletter. The aim is to bring readers news about the Consortium, present features on member authorities, and profile some key individuals within those authorities. There will also be articles on relevant legal issues. In short, we plan to offer an interesting read. [download PDF document] |
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| A Guide to the Power to Trade |
This document summarises the relevant points from the Local Government Act 2003, the key issues to be considered and rules to be taken into account, it also provides insight from the experience of other authorities that have undertaken joint working under a trading agreement. [download PDF document] |
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| Nomad Wireless Briefing October 2006 |
This is the fourth in a series of five briefings that will be published monthly aiming to:
• Inform local authorities and the public sector of the latest developments in wireless technologies
• Outline the opportunities and implications for transformative government and shared services
• Share the learning of innovative and forward thinking authorities in deploying wireless solutions
[download PDF document] |
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| Pro5 - Buying Organisations Join Forces |
Five professional buying organisations with a combined purchasing power of £2 billion are set to offer local authorities outstanding deals in key markets following an historic agreement to work together.
The Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation, Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation, Central Buying Consortium, West Mercia Supplies and the North East Purchasing Organisation have agreed to work together as the ‘Pro5’ and are preparing a business model to underpin their collaborative efforts.
[download MS Word document]
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Nottinghamshire Councils Muck In To Procure Refuse Collection Vehicles |
Nottinghamshire’s waste collection authorities have joined forces in a partnership designed to procure Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCV’s) and deliver almost £300k total savings to their Authorities.
[download MS Word document] |
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| New chair of top local government efficiency body |
The new Chair of the Chief Executives? Task Force, the body that provides strategic direction to the nine Regional Centres of Excellence, is Rob Sykes, the Chief Executive of Worcestershire County Council.
[download MS Word document] |
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| Centre for Procurement Performance Newsletter |
| The CPP newsletter offers procurement professionals advice from the education sector and general procurement know-how. [download PDF document] |
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| CSED Newsletter |
The up-to-date newsletter contains valuable information on the changes,
activities and progress of Care Services Efficiency Delivery (CSED) over the last two months.
[download PDF document] |
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| Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 |
As part of its preparations for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR07), the Government is taking forward a fundamental assessment of its expenditure, with the aim of maximising value for money across all public spending. An interim report 'Releasing the resources to meet the challenges ahead: value for money in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review' was published on 13 July 2006.
[More information here] |
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| National Framework Agreement for Telecare – Part A (including equipment, installation, maintenance, monitoring and response services |
The Department of Health will release £80m over the next two years via the Preventative Technology Grant, to help local authorities and their partners address the challenges of an ageing society. The Minister for Health in wanting to support the effective use of these funds, charged the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency to undertake a cross agency national procurement exercise which has resulted in the National Framework for Telecare.
The National Framework Agreement (NFA) is available to all local authorities, health, housing, voluntary and other organisations that currently procure Telecare equipment/services.
By contracting nationally on behalf of all stakeholders, the framework agreement will influence spend, rationalise suppliers, ensure minimum standards of technical compliance and deliver cost reductions for equipment and services via an e-catalogue.
The following downloads link to the Telecare information pack and contract.
Telecare Information Pack: [download PDF document]
Telecare Contract Info: [download PDF document] |
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| Welland Partnership Appoint Procurement Head |
| The Welland Partnership of Councils in the East Midlands has appointed the first Head of the innovative Welland Procurement Service. The Welland Councils have successfully launched this new joint service in order to leverage resources for smaller councils which would not otherwise be able to develop a professional procurement service effectively alone.
[download MS Word document] |
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| Strategic Procurement and enabling Transformation |
Brian Roberts, Director of Resources at Leicestershire County Council and the Executive of the Organisational Efficiency Programme, discusses how changing procurement delivery is a key way to deliver the transformation agenda.
[download MS Word document]
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| National e-Auction Programme 2006-07 |
The Regional Centres of Excellence have produced a combined document detailing planned e-Auctions for 2006-07. The auctions satisy a variety of consumables and services, the spreadsheet download specifies contract coverage, auction status and current contract expiry date.
[download MS Excel document] |
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| Local Government well placed to deliver a further £1.3bn of efficiency gains |
Local authorities in England are on course to deliver a further £1.3 billion worth of efficiency gains in 2006/07, according to figures published by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). These expected savings - identified by local authorities in their annual forward look efficiency statements - compare with £760 million in 2004/05 and £1.1bn in 2005/06.
Tim Byles, National Procurement Champion and Chair of the Chief Executives' Task Force, welcomed the figures but warned against complacency, saying, "The results demonstrate local government's ability to deliver real efficiencies, but this upward curve must be maintained in the longer term. Greater collaboration, shared services, smarter procurement and process re-engineering amongst others must be fully embraced by local government if it is to build on these successes."
[download PDF document]
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| EMCE E-Auction Support Project |
Results from the first two e-auctions delivered by EMCE in partnership with ESPO. The wheeled bin auction delivered a 15% saving and the PC consumables auction delievered a 42% saving resulting in at least £5 million in savings (more if we get higher than estimated orders). I am sure you will agree this represents a fantastic outcome. Information on how to order from the wheeled bin contract is available from keith.gordon@nottscc.gov.uk These auctions are part of a longer term programme agreed by the Management Board in January 2006. In light of the early successes this is currently being reviewed and details will be published via the newsletter and our website. If you would like to know more about our e-auctions please contact keith.gordon@nottscc.gov.uk
IT Consumables: [download PDF document]
Wheeled Bins: [download PDF document] |
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| BVPI Environment Indicator Analysis |
A graphical analysis of the latest environmental BVPI indicators, specifically charting the performance of East Midlands authorities against each other and the regional and national data.
BVPI Environment Indicator Analysis [download PDF document]
BVPI Environment Indicator Analysis [download MS Excel document] |
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| Transforming local government construction - The power of framework agreements |
This new publication showcases current examples of successful local authority construction frameworks covering housing, general building and highways. In highlighting key characteristics and the efficiencies they are delivering, it is hoped to encourage and inspire others to adopt similar principles to assist in meeting their construction efficiency targets.
The examples featured have been identified through networks of contacts including the Regional Directors of the Centres of Excellence, and the Local Government Task Force (LGTF) Regional Champions. The examples are at different stages of development and maturity and this is often reflected in their achievements.
The project profiles represent a snapshot of a changing picture at a moment in time. Those involving collaboration between authorities show the direction that frameworking is taking in the future.
Frameworking is progressive and incremental. Each level of accomplishment provides a new base from which to plan new advances. Each advance enlarges the range of benefits which can be reached. Those actively involved in framework management and development would all say that they have embarked on a journey, but none would claim to have reached the end, or the limits of their capacity to achieve and improve.
Transforming Local Government Construction Cover Note [download MS Word document]
Transforming Local Government Construction [download PDF document] [4MB!] |
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| Local Area Agreements (LAA) |
| DCLG is currently developing a vision of what local government across England should look like in ten years and how services should be delivered through a new relationship between central and local government based on mutual trust and responsibility. LAA represent a radical new approach to improve co-ordination between central government and local authorities and their partners, working through the Local Strategic Partnership. [download PDF document] |
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| Pioneering e-auctions slash costs of goods and services |
| Figures compiled by the Regional Centres of Excellence reveal that e-auctions can dramatically cut the cost of council goods and services, by an average of one quarter and by much more in some cases. Results from the first wave of the national programme of e-auctions show that they delivered an average saving of 27% - the difference between the baseline cost and the final bid tendered in the auction. For more information [download MS Word document] |
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NPS Self Assessment Health Check |
During February and March 2006 East Midlands authorities took part in a self assessment health check against both the "NPS Milestones" and "What Councils should be doing" targets within the National Procurement Strategy. Over 75% of EM authorities have responded and a collective summary of the assessment by line item is available in the following attachments.
Self Assessment Overview [download MS Word document]
Self Assessment Health Check Milestones 2006 [download MS Word document]
Self Assessment Health Check Should be Doing 2006 [download MS Word document] |
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| London insurance company set for go-ahead |
A green light has been given for the creation of the first-ever local government insurance company, a move which could have far-reaching implications for local government insurance. The London Regional Centre of Excellence (LRCE) has approved funding of ?115,000 to set up the guaranteed insurance mutual which will be owned by participating authorities. It will be open to all 32 London boroughs, the Corporation of London and the Greater London Assembly. For more information [download MS Word document] |
