The Power of Procurement

17 Jan 2011

Over the last five years Manchester City Council has been extremely proactive in developing sustainability principles in its procurement policy. It has also sought to ensure that its procurement spending reaps maximum local economic, social and environmental benefit for the city's communities.

What has been missing from the Manchester model, however, has been: a quantitative understanding of the benefit of procurement spend to the local economy; an exploration of the extent to which suppliers to the city council adhere to sustainability principles in their own choices; and an understanding of how sustainable procurement policies and practices can be improved in the city.

Read the 'Power of Procurement' report to find out more.

Professional Services Press - Oct 2010

19 Oct 2010

This is the first edition of the Professional Services Press, the quarterly newsletter on temporary staff and consultancy procurement.

This edition brings you an update on the agency worker directive, information on collaborative contracts, our behavioural change initiatives and much more!

OGC Policy Note on Frameworks

01 Oct 2010

OGC have issued Procurement Policy Note (PPN 16/10).

This Action Note provides updated guidance on ensuring that, when establishing a framework agreement, a contracting authority properly identifies the bodies which are able to make use of the agreement. It also provides guidance on when and how framework owners may need to clarify the identity of the bodies which are able to use their existing frameworks.

Where Does All The Money Go? (Planning Advisory Committee)

24 Sep 2010

The Planning Advisory Service (PAS) have produced the early report on Managing Excellent Planning Services (MEPS): A Planning Advisory Service project on value for money in planning.

The report is based on data from 15 authorities (LPAs) and £22m of costs. It uses information derived from 130,000 planning applications, 19 development plan documents and the timesheets of over 600 staff. Although most of the data is in draft and still requires formal acceptance from the authorities themselves. This report is not intended to suggest that ‘cheapest is best' or that the performance achieved in one place is relevant elsewhere, but rather to provide useful comparable information about costs, performance and methods.

Local Government Professional Services Bulletin - Aug 2010

05 Aug 2010

The Local Government Professional Services Group (LGPSG), a stakeholder group run by and for local authorities, has commissioned ESPO (on behalf of Pro5), the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and the Department for Education (DfE).

PPN 14/10 How to Indicate the Use of Electronic Auctions on Contract Notices

13 Jul 2010

Guidance from the OGC re e- auctions aims to provide clarification for contracting authorities on the appropriate wording to be used in contract notices to indicate that an electronic auction (eAuction) may be used; in the evaluation of tenders to establish a contract or Framework Agreement; or in the evaluation of tenders as part of a mini competition to establish call off contracts under a Framework Agreement.

PPN 14/10

PPN 15/10 Use of Framework Agreements Set Up by Non-Contracting Authorities

13 Jul 2010

Some organisations that are not contracting authorities have either established or are attempting to establish arrangements described as framework agreements for use by contracting authorities across the public sector. These agreements should not be used by contracting authorities - this PPN outlines the issues and risks for contracting authorities considering the use of these agreements.

PPN 15/10

Identifying Contract Opportunities suitable for SMEs

23 Jun 2010

OGC and BIS have produced a guidance note in relation to identifying contract opportunities suitable for SME's.

Procurement Lincolnshire have used this guidance to include a summary on their web site.
see www.procurementlincolnshire.co.uk/section.asp?docid=87373&catid=23629

RIEPs: efficiency casebook

17 Jun 2010

As budgetary pressures increase across the sector, the need for partnership working grows ever more apparent.

Read this invaluable casebook that details the efficiency and procurement support available from the regional improvement and efficiency partnerships (RIEPs). Find out how to secure savings, harness expertise and unlock efficiencies for your council and its partners.

A Review of Collaborative Procurement across the Public Sector

16 Jun 2010

The National Audit Office and the Audit Commission have jointly produced this review. It describes the landscape of collaborative procurement across the public sector. The review draws on our research in central government, local government and the National Health Service (NHS) carried out during the summer and autumn of 2009.  The research....

Procurement Policy Note – Policy through Procurement Budget 2010 Announcements

07 Jun 2010

To make you aware of the recent Policy through Procurement (PtP) announcements in the Budget 2010.
Policy Through Procurement Budget 2010 Announcements

Putting the Frontline First: Meeting the local government challenge

07 Jun 2010

In response to tightening local authority budgets, the Secretary of State asked Sir Richard Leese and Sir Steve Bullock to lead a Task Force to quickly develop proposals to identify how councils can be made more efficient without affecting high quality frontline services.

This Report by the Task Force challenges local authorities to take a strategic approach to managing their budgets and to take urgent and radical action to transform services. In doing so, the Report sets out strategic questions for local authorities to evaluate themselves against, and a framework of actions, tools and resources to help councils protect frontline services.

Sustainable Procurement Information Network (SPIN) website

07 May 2010

visit: www.s-p-i-n.co.uk

Glover Report November 2008

07 May 2010

Accelerating the SME economic engine : through transparent, simple and strategic procurement.

BUY FAIR - A Guide to the public purchasing of Fair Trade products

07 May 2010

This leaflet provides clear and simple advice for public authorities wishing to purchase Fair Trade products. The guide includes the following:

• An introduction to Fair Trade
• Advice on minimising legal uncertainties in procurement
• Actual text that can be used directly in public tenders
• Suggestions for other complementary activities

Midlands highway Alliance - Local Authority Efficiencies Summary 2008-2013

07 May 2010

Strategic Asset Management Guidance

07 May 2010

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.

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.

How SMEs can become successful framework contractors

07 May 2010

Local government has made huge strides in procuring and delivering construction projects in recent years. The principles behind Rethinking Construction have been successfully embedded in many projects as local authorities have taken advantage of framework arrangements to bring home projects to a higher standard, in a shorter time and at less cost.

But has this desire to raise standards and deliver efficiencies been at the expense of small and medium sized enterprises? Put simply, are SMEs losing out to the big boys?

As this excellent report highlights, not if local authorities consciously build in strategies for smaller businesses to take advantage of framework arrangements, either directly or via the supply chain.

The report showcases how SMEs can benefit from framework arrangements, with case studies detailing how several local authorities and SMEs have successfully adapted to the changing environment.

Executive Summary [download PDF document]

HELG Local Highways Efficiency Toolkit

07 May 2010

The Highways Efficiency Liaison Group's (HELG) Local Highways Efficiency Toolkit responds to requests for a guide that would take the mystery out of preparing efficiency statements in the local government highways sector.

Royal Mail - Pricing in Proportion

07 May 2010

The items that your authority currently mails are priced according to their weight alone. Royal Mail are changing to a new pricing system called "Pricing in Proportion" that takes into account both the size and weight of an item. The new "Pricing in Proportion (PIP) system was approved by Postcomm, the postal regulator, in 2004, and will come into effect on 21 st August 2006. It will also be possible to change your post supplier from 21st August and you may wish to refer to the ESPO TNT Mail Services Contract if this appeals to your authority.

John King from Newark & Sherwood DC has kindly provided some useful documents in relation to the revised pricing structure.

Additional information is also clearly highlighted on www.royalmail.com.

Royal Mail Mailsort, Walksort & Cleanmail Services [download PDF document]
Royal Mail PIP Price List [download PDF document]
Royal Mail 'the sum of it' [download PDF document]
Royal Mail Cleanmail Brochure [download PDF document]
PiP Ready Reckoner [download Excel document]
ESPO Mail Services Contract No. 341 (TNT Post UK) [download Word document]
Envelope Sizes [download Word document]

How to get a better deal in postal services [download PDF document]

How to get a better deal in print services procurement [download PDF document]