Waste Management Project Update

23 Aug 2010

Phase one, of the EM IEP waste project focused on data collection and analysis of cashable efficiencies being delivered across the region. The University of Northampton carried out the research providing a report which formed the basis of the ‘Improving Efficiency in Waste Collection' event held on the 19th May 2010. Please follow this link for more information.

Phase two of the project is now underway with a focus on 4 key priorities; member engagement, sharing good practice, improving communications and supporting the delivery of efficiencies within waste collection authorities.

Next month work will be in full swing to develop three detailed case studies, highlighting the waste collection service provided by three local authorities with good performance and average to low costs. The case studies will examine why and how these authorities are able to achieve high performance standards whilst keeping spend low, and illustrate how other authorities can adopt similar practice to reduce costs and improve performance. The observational case studies will not only discuss operational processes, but also investigate both corporate, managerial and member procedures. The case studies also aim to examine the attribution of overheads etc in the Local Authorities costs for waste collection.

Currently we are looking for local authorities to express an interest in being involved with a number of key projects which will be developing over the autumn. For example:
• Facilitated Efficiency Challenge- A facilitated workshop with associated tool to enable senior managers to challenge their efficiency agenda and to identify actions towards the realisation of efficiency savings in their waste collection service.
• Support for authorities to reduce costs in a pilot working group- A pilot working group will break down their current waste collection costs and establish how they would be able to reduce costs and create efficiencies based on a target cost per household. 1st meeting- discuss setting a realistic (but challenging) target cost per household, 2nd meeting- bring breakdown of costs and discuss with working group areas where costs can be cut, 3rd meeting- meet to discuss progress towards target cost.

If you are interested in taking part in these projects please contact the project manager at Rebecca.parker@nottscc.gov.uk or on 07570 829226

Finally, The EM IEP will also be delivering a free regional event for waste and recycling officers on the 18th November. The event will include presentations on ‘Understanding the New Legislation and Requirements', ‘Collaboration on Procurement County and Regional Level', ‘Minimising waste arising', ‘Understanding Partnership Working' and examples of good practice.

For more information on this project, useful links and websites and up and coming events follow this link.

Somerset Virtual Unitary Authority for the Collection of Waste

23 Aug 2010

Facing increasing costs, challenges and customer expectations, all six councils in Somerset joined forces to create a "virtual unitary authority" for the collection of waste and awarded a single county-wide contract. These changes are expected to achieve £1.5 million revenue equivalent savings a year.

Click HERE to read the case study.

A Faciliated Efficiency Challenge

13 Aug 2010

Building upon the authority specific benchmarking reports delivered to all East Midlands district and unitary authorities the Facilitated Efficiency Challenge is the next stage in the process to support councils in identifying actions to deliver efficiencies within specific services.

What is it?
A facilitated workshop with an associated tool to enable senior managers to challenge their efficiency agenda and to identify actions towards the realisation of efficiency savings.

What are the benefits?
Senior managers will raise their awareness of their current approach to realising efficiencies and their ability to work corporately to help deliver savings across the council. They will be able to take stock and to identify the things that they should keep doing, the things that they should do differently and the things that they should start doing in order to meet their efficiency targets.

How does it work?
Our facilitators will work with you to take you through the key issues highlighted in the Efficiency Challenge tool. Colleagues will be given an opportunity to reflect on their own experiences and be asked to work together to build a group consensus and common understanding of the challenges and issues. The focus is then on identifying an appropriate action plan to ensure the effective implementation of efficiency savings for the Council. Each session will cover two elements:

• Overview of the Council's Financial Position
• Focus on one specific Service which the Council has identified

What Service areas are covered by the tool?
o Waste collection
o Information technology
o Street cleaning
o HR
o Revenue & benefits o Property
o Planning
o Finance
o Housing
o Procurement
o Community Safety o Customer Services
o Parks & Open Spaces

What are the outcomes?
An agreed action plan of 5 key activities and practical outputs that the participants agree to take forward and develop as appropriate into detailed actions to deliver efficiencies.

Who should participate in the session?
It is important that both corporate management and service management agree the actions necessary to drive efficiencies. The following are key:
o Director of Resources
o Service Director
o Head of Service
o Operational Service Manager
o Finance Manager

Further information contact:
Andrew Foster, Assistant Director, EM IEP:
Tel: 07921 491 698
Email: andrew.foster@nottscc.gov.uk 

Waste Project Newsletter - August 2010

13 Aug 2010

£950k Announced for Regional Climate Change Skills Fund

11 Aug 2010

On 23rd July, CLG confirmed the package of measures worth £9.75 million to build skills and capacity across the range of local authority responsibilities needed to tackle climate change. Of this sum, £950k has been received by EM IEP.

Broadly, the funding is to support the decentralisation of power to the local level by enhancing the skills and knowledge planners need, including in planning for increased renewable energy supply, and encouraging local communities to take positive action on climate change. It may be used to support local authorities for the following purposes:

• Facilitating the delivery of increased renewable energy supply through the activities of local authority planning departments
• Helping local authorities more broadly, including training for members and on adaptation
• Allowing planning departments to promote better community engagement in the planning process, including on renewables.

EM IEP delivers its climate change activity through Climate East Midlands, which is a regional partnership consisting of six organisations, working together to coordinate action on the causes and consequences of climate change.

Watch our °Climate East Midlands film.

Local Government Improvement & Development Annual Report 2009-10

10 Aug 2010

Local Government Improvement and Development (LG Improvement and Development) is working with other parts of the Local Government Group (LG Group) to support, promote and improve local government. During 2009/2010 the organisation was known as the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA).

EMCBE Regional Awards 2010

10 Aug 2010

East Midlands Centre for Constructing the Built Environment (EMCBE)
The Tigers Stadium, Leicester - 14 October 2010

The construction sector, both regionally and nationally, has been battling particularly hard against the consequences of the ‘economic downturn' since the end of 2008, which was only 18 months (or so) ago but seems like an eternity. During that time the market-place dynamics have changed and fluctuated, and perhaps most recently following the formation of the coalition government in May 2010.

As always, the sector is the first to be squeezed when the economy has to be slowed down and the first to have to expand its capacity when the economy is expected to grow.

Within that trading turmoil, and specifically during the period 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2010, we know that fine projects and initiatives have been completed in the East Midlands, and both need to be and deserve to be recognised as such.

The projects happen and are completed almost in isolation of and despite the wider circumstances, and the sector needs to say: "Well done - great job!" in a process leading to achievements being formally recognised in an Awards Night which publicly expresses peer respect and admiration.

Other regions have risen above the temptation to be gloomy and despondent, and have produced worthy exemplars of excellence which have then been applauded at vibrant regional award events. You cannot tell me that the East Midlands can do equally well.

Your completed projects and/or initiatives will qualify for one or more of the nine award categories:

- Skills and Training
- Infrastructure Award
- Environmental Sustainability Award
- Innovation Business Award
- Heritage Award
- The Achiever's Award
- Small Business of the Year
- Client of the Year
- Project of the Year


The 2010 Awards Night is scheduled to be held at ‘The Tigers Stadium, Leicester' on Thursday, 14 October 2010. It will be an opportunity, if previous years are anything to go by, for forgetting the next day (on this occasion Friday, 15 October) and simply enjoying the moment and giving the selected projects the recognition they deserve.

So come on, give them that "whole hearted participation and support" as you have done in previous years, and make the submissions as the start of that process.

For more information, to download an application form and to book your place at the celebration go to: http://www.emcbe.com/Events/awards-2010.htm 

EM IEP Newsletter - August 2010

09 Aug 2010

Procurement & Efficiency Bulletin - August 2010

09 Aug 2010

Joint Work - Fit for the Future

05 Aug 2010

East Midlands Councils, in partnership with East Midlands Regional Improvement and Efficiency partnership commissioned 'Fit for the Future' study to help local authorities share good practice in response to the recession. This project has been overseen by a small Advisory Board comprising:

Cllr Jim Harker, Leader, Northamptonshire County Council (Conservative)
Cllr Martin Hill, Leader Lincolnshire County Council (Conservative)
Cllr Robert Parker, Lincolnshire County Council (Labour)
Cllr David Perkins, Northampton Borough Council (Liberal Democrat)

The report has been based on interviews with the Head of Economic Development, or equivalent, in every Council in the East Midlands, interviews with a range of non-local authority partners and analysis of the impact of the recession and the potential impact of reductions in public sector employment on the East Midlands. It includes the following case studies:

- Derby City Council's ‘Trains, Planes and Automobiles' research into the key sectors underpinning manufacturing in the City
- Bassetlaw District Council's joined up local and small business based response to the recession
- Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council's Total Place pilot
- Nottingham City Council's ‘Whole Council' corporate response to the recession
- East Lindsey District Council's Courts Service; a family based service supporting individuals at risk of losing their home developed   specifically in response to the recession
- The iCon centre in Daventry, a national centre of excellence in construction offering opportunities around construction during the recession

The report finds that the recession hit communities and businesses increased demand for services and its impact on public finances has increased the pressure on Councils' budgets. Councils across the region have undertaken a huge range and variety of activity to support communities and business to recover from the recession. Activity ranged from small projects to ambitious multi-agency partnerships. Not everything that Councils have done has been universally effective, but all Councils have responded. The report does not identify one approach to supporting the local economy that would be replicable in every area, but we have uncovered a wealth of good practice that every Council can learn from.

Economic circumstances and the challenges Councils face continue to change and Councils will continue to develop new and innovative ways of responding. This report can only be a snapshot at one point in time. There is scope for local authorities to work together to continue to share good practice in supporting local economies.

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).

New Big Lottery Fund Programme

04 Aug 2010

The Big Lottery Fund has now announced the launch of its new £200 million trust. It has also identified the first 50 neighbourhoods to be eligible for support. It intends to target up to 150 such neighbourhoods. In the East Midlands the areas have been identified as;

• Allenton

• Lumbertubs, Lings and Blackthorn Estates

• Warsop Parish

• Mablethorpe/Trusthorpe/Sutton on Sea

Link to web page

East Midlands Neighbourhood Resource Centre June 2010 Newsletter

04 Aug 2010

The East Midlands Neighbourhood Resource Centre is funded by the East Midlands Improvement & Efficiency Partnership to assist in the delivery of neighbourhood renewal at a grassroots level by equipping neighbourhood frontline practitioners such as neighbourhood wardens, housing officers, neighbourhood managers, community groups and residents with the relevant skills and knowledge to carry out their roles more effectively, in alignment with the government‟s localism and big society agenda.

Councillors' Guide 2010-11

04 Aug 2010

The Local Government Improvement and Development's new edition of the 'Councillors' Guide' has been revised and updated to reflect the latest legislation and thinking concerning local government in England. It focuses principally on the needs of newly-elected councillors, although more experienced councillors will find it useful too.

The guide explores things new councillors need to know at the start of their careers in public life. It:

- discusses councillors' roles and responsibilities as ward representatives
- explains how councils work and how they are funded
- examines the various checks and balances that regulate councils and councillors
- stresses the importance of community leadership.

empa Large Projects

04 Aug 2010

A 'Large Works' framework, covering projects in the range of £7.5 million to £30 million, has been established by Scape for empa members.

Available since April 2010, the framework provides a proven way to expedite your new build or refurbishment project and deliver best value. An empa framework provides:

- Client engagement from the start
- Proactive risk management
- Localised supply chain procurement and selection
- Structured project delivery process following
- PRINCE2 processes
- Ongoing project support
- Performance management control
- Managed continuous improvement
- Removal of waste on site and in the system

Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS - (NHS Briefing for Members)

03 Aug 2010

Equity and excellence: liberating the NHS, the coalition Government's white paper, was published on 12 July 2010. It has at its heart three key principles:

• patients at the centre of the NHS
• changing the emphasis to clinical outcomes
• empowering health professionals, in particular GPs.

There is no doubt the white paper signals the biggest reorganisation of the NHS in its history and, as expected, almost every part of the NHS will see significant change if the proposals are fully implemented.

Targeted Support Programme

30 Jul 2010

The region's Councillors may be interested in the 'The Targeted Support Programme' (TSP) which is running free activities to embed good practice in community empowerment in the following areas:

Nottinghamshire • Ashfield • Bassetlaw • Newark & Sherwood • Mansfield
Lincolnshire • Boston • Lincoln City • South Holland • East Lindsey • North Kesteven
Leicestershire • Melton • N W Leicestershire • Hinckley & Bosworth • Charnwood • Blaby
Leicester City
Derby City

The TSP is a programme funded by the Community Development Foundation and will only be available until the end of January 2011.

For more information visit: http://www.emep.org.uk

Community engagement and empowerment: a guide for councillors

30 Jul 2010

This document is a detailed guide to community empowerment for councillors, setting out an introduction to empowerment, some activities that help councillors to work with their communities, a discussion of the skills that councillors might need to work with their communities and the support available to aquire these skills.

Community empowerment is about having the conditions in place that allow local people to make a difference to improve their localities, and that encourage them to believe that it is both possible and worth it.

The guide contains useful examples of community empowerment best practice, as well as some tools that will help councillors diagnose the strengths and areas for development within their own authority's practice.

This publication was written for Local Government Improvement and Development and the Network of Empowering Authorities by the Local Government Information Unit's (LGIU) Centre for Local Democracy.

IT Hardware - e-Auction Opportunity

30 Jul 2010

OGC are commencing the process for another e-auction for IT Hardware. A number of authorities have already participated in previous IT Hardware e-auctions and these have proved very successful in delivering significant savings.

If you are interested in participating you must act now and contact:
Chris Chettle, OGC, email: chris.chettle@ogc.gsi.gov.uk  

For more information contact either Tim Collis the East Midlands E Auction Project Support Officer on 07966 209 525
or Andrew Foster, email: andrew.foster@nottscc.gov.uk

South West IEP let Framework for Insurance

30 Jul 2010

The South West Improvement and Efficiency Partnership have let a framwork for insurance which is available to view at the link below.

Please note, the document has been posted on our Procurement Hub, which is a secure area open to local authority and fire and rescue authority officers only.

http://www.eastmidlandsiep.gov.uk/contracts/