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Publications
Place-based budgets - the future governance of local public services
29 Jul 2010
(Published by LGA)
Public services will have to become more transparent, more effective, and cheaper. This simply will not happen without a significant change to the way funding is allocated and decisions are made.
This paper proposes a significant shift in accountability which would make local public services genuinely local both in the way funding is allocated, and decisions about services are made and accounted for.
Building on experience of what works - and what doesn't - the LGA has set out a model for place-based budgeting.
Find out more in the LGA's publication 'Place-based budgets - the future governance of local public services'
Place-based budgets - the future governance of local public services
29 Jul 2010
(Published by LGA)
Public services will have to become more transparent, more effective, and cheaper. This simply will not happen without a significant change to the way funding is allocated and decisions are made.
This paper proposes a significant shift in accountability which would make local public services genuinely local both in the way funding is allocated, and decisions about services are made and accounted for.
Building on experience of what works - and what doesn't - the LGA has set out a model for place-based budgeting.
Find out more in the LGA's publication 'Place-based budgets - the future governance of local public services'
Leading the Way by Working Together
28 Jul 2010
The second edition of this annual report shows how local government is working together, and with its partners, to improve services for local people.
This publication provides evidence that, as a sector, local government is ready to take on the increased freedom and responsibility of decentralisation and a more locally accountable performance framework. It is a celebration of how local government has worked together to lead improvement in recent times, supported by:
Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs)
Local Government Improvement and Development
Local Government Leadership
Local Government Regulation
Local Government Employers
Local Partnerships.
It is an acknowledgement of how far local government have come over the past year. It provides a flavour of what can be achieved by sharing our collective expertise, learning from each other and looking more widely to form place-based partnerships with other service providers.
Leading the Way by Working Together
28 Jul 2010
The second edition of this annual report shows how local government is working together, and with its partners, to improve services for local people.
This publication provides evidence that, as a sector, local government is ready to take on the increased freedom and responsibility of decentralisation and a more locally accountable performance framework. It is a celebration of how local government has worked together to lead improvement in recent times, supported by:
Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs)
Local Government Improvement and Development
Local Government Leadership
Local Government Regulation
Local Government Employers
Local Partnerships.
It is an acknowledgement of how far local government have come over the past year. It provides a flavour of what can be achieved by sharing our collective expertise, learning from each other and looking more widely to form place-based partnerships with other service providers.
NIEP Progress Report 2010
28 Jul 2010
"Nationally, construction expenditure remains the largest area of spending activity in local government, accounting for 30% of the overall annual procurement spend. The NIEP's goal is to deliver a 20% saving in construction costs and a 14.5% saving in assets, at a time of unprecedented fiscal constraint."
The National Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (NIEP) for the Built Environment is the national body that aims to shape the
future of intelligent local government asset management and buildings and highways construction procurement across England.
The NIEP has recently changed its name from the NIEP "for Construction" to "for the "Built Environment" to better reflect all aspects of its remit.
Launched in September 2009 at the Institute of Directors' London headquarters, amid challenging economic times, the NIEP plays
a pivotal role in supporting and championing the delivery of efficiencies and better ways of working for all those involved in construction and highways programmes across the local government sector.
NIEP for the Built Environment - The benefits of collaborative procurement
28 Jul 2010
In today's uncertain economic climate, councils are searching for opportunities to drive efficiencies and make savings without compromising the quality or accessibility of local services. At the same time the construction industry is under pressure to stay afloat.
Fortunately, an important tool has been forging a link between better construction and improved public services and particularly in today's economy, has proven to be mutually beneficial to councils and the construction industry.
Around the country, collaborative procurement, whereby councils work together to jointly purchase goods and services, is saving money, achieving more programme certainty, and lowering risk.
Formed in 2009, the National Improvement Efficiency Partnership (NIEP) for the Built Environment is playing a unique role in leading the ongoing adoption of local government best practice. Building on the successes to date of nine Improvement Efficiency
Partnerships (IEPs), the NIEP is working to shape the future of intelligent local government asset management and procurement of building and highway projects.
The following report provides evidence of the benefits to date of collaborative procurement and the potential of the NIEP to maximise future benefits.
Implementing the Lessons from Total Place
28 Jul 2010
As the public sector moves into the next stage of Total Place, read the Local Govenrment Improvement and Developement's (the new name for the IDeA) new publication that highlights the lessons from the pilots and collates the views of the participants.
Click on the following link for more information: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=5111795
Local Government Group consolidates Branding
28 Jul 2010
To make it easier for local authorities to find the help and support they want, the Local Government Group has updated its brand to:
- give clarity to councils about what they can offer
- deliver better value for money
- consolidate and ensure efficiency savings
- develop a stronger position with more direction and the ability to exert more influence on government departments.
Which organisations does it affect?
The LG Group and its constituent organisations have changed names as part of our branding update:
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OLD NAME |
NEW NAME |
ABBREVIATIONS |
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LG Group | |
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LGA LG Association |
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LG Improvement and Development | |
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LG Employers | |
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LG Regulation | |
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LG Leadership |
Local Partnerships retains its name and logo.
For more information and to download the branding guidelines visit:
http://www.local.gov.uk/lgv2/core/page.do?pageId=430222#contents-1
Website Design Framework available to local authorities
27 Jul 2010
Braintree District Council let a four-year framework agreement for the provision and development of a content management system (CMS) solution to the four suppliers. This framework agreement was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) ID: 2009 -145929 in compliance with relevant EU procurement regulations. The companies were selected following a formal tender and evaluation process.
The framework is for a period of 4 years with regular reviews and the agreement is available to all Public Sector Authorities. Prices should be obtained by requesting a quotation from all five suppliers.
To find out more visit the link below from our Procurement Hub and scroll down to the 'Website Design' sub-heading. (Please note this link is only available to staff in local authorities and fire and rescue services).
http://www.eastmidlandsiep.gov.uk/contracts/
JIP Bulletin - July 2010
27 Jul 2010
Why RIEPS Have, So Far, Escaped the Axe
27 Jul 2010
This Municipal Journal (MJ) article features Councillor David Parsons, CBE, discussing the success of Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs) and why he government has agreed a third year of funding despite the budget defecit.
To read the full MJ Magazine article (July 2010) go to: http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=90493
Fit for the Future
26 Jul 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 (Con)
- Cllr Martin Hill, Leader Lincolnshire County Council (Con)
- Cllr Robert Parker, Lincolnshire County Council (Lab)
- Cllr David Perkins, Northampton Borough Council (LD)
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.
Download the 'Fit for the Future' report
Download Appendix 2 (giving details of every Councils activity and key contacts)
EM IEP Newsletter - July 2010
21 Jul 2010
EM IEP Newsletter - July 2010 Out Now!
21 Jul 2010
Over £200 million efficiency savings predicted for East Midlands authorities, over five years
There is no doubt that the coalition government expects to see a radical change in the way that services are delivered by local authorities across the country, with the ultimate aim of delivering more for less.
Last month the East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (EM IEP) held its second annual conference, which was used as an opportunity to inform delegates of the marked progress that local authorities in the East Midlands are already making in delivering ‘more for less' through.... Click here to read the full newsletter
£7.4 million (cashable) saved by East Midland's public authorities
21 Jul 2010
The East Midlands Property Alliance (empa), an EM IEP funded project, provides collaborative procurement arrangements through framework agreements for all public bodies in the East Midlands. This approach has enabled empa to secure collective buying power from the market and deliver better services than can be obtained via one off or individual contracting.
Public bodies are incurring unnecessary administration costs by duplicating procurement activity. Many public bodies continue to undertake expensive procurement exercises rather than using existing framework agreements.
Regional frameworks across the country have been or are in the process of being set up. This is in conjunction with the regional improvement and efficiency partnerships (RIEP) and the OGC. Results have identified £78m or 4.1% average costs savings from using regional construction frameworks.
The OGC have reviewed the projects procured by empa and its regional partners through the RIEPs and identified a 9% saving on project costs by using best practice processes. Economic regeneration and local employment are key drivers of empa framework agreements. This is demonstrated by local spend targets being exceeded and employment opportunities being created through empa's unique skills academy.
Find out more by reading the empa Business Case.
Efficiency Savings Part 1
20 Jul 2010
Following a request from the East Midlands Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (EMIEP), Keep Britain Tidy was asked to develop a region wide improvement programme to assist the ‘Efficiency Challenge Project’ to work with local authorities on recommendations and the measurement of potential savings around cleansing in the East Midlands.
This report, Efficiency Savings Part 1, focuses on how EMIEP may identify small scale and non-cashable savings amongst authorities in the East Midlands. The report consists of two main parts – the first focusing on data analysis and the second on operational efficiencies, with conclusions combined from both areas.
The data analysis section reviews and analyses a wide range of publically available cleansing related primary data for the East Midlands, identifies correlations of trends and patterns regionally, and combines these with Keep Britain Tidy’s wider research around resident satisfaction and cost and the impact of external factors, such as IMD and population density which impacts on perceptions and routes to efficiencies.
The operational efficiencies section identifies a range of broad efficiency saving routes which could be considered to help realise small and non-cashable savings across environmental portfolios.
In combining these findings, the report concludes by giving three routes to region-wide implementation through operational efficiencies; correlation of relative performance; and a focus on learning from areas with high perceptions.
Through the remainder of the over-arching EMIEP Efficiency Challenge Project, Keep Britain Tidy will work with authorities in the East Midlands to extend Efficiency Savings Part 1 to develop larger scale efficiency savings models.
Integrating local public services: the workforce issues - IDeA Web Resource
20 Jul 2010
The public sector needs to find radical new ways to deliver local services more tailored to local needs while saving significant costs. To help achieve this, many councils and their local public services partners are integrating their services, cutting out duplication and waste, and providing more joined up services for service users.
Examples of integrated working include:
- place-based working (previously known as Total Place), developing a place-based budget, and a ‘whole area' approach to public services
- children's trusts and services
- adult services such as mental health, learning difficulties and services for older people or those with disabilities
- joint appointments and joint working with health services on health inequality issues
- front-line shared services projects such as ‘one-stop shops' or shared benefit assessments.
Integrating local public services raises many potential workforce issues for councils and their partners including:
- new working methods and arrangements for staff
- changes to roles, structures, job descriptions, and required skills
- staff relocation
- secondments to a different organisation or transfer to new employers
- resolving differences in pay, terms and conditions for staff from different organisations working side by side.
This web resource focuses on these key issues and:
- highlights the key strategic issues for members, for chief executives and other senior managers
- provides general advice, options and things to consider
- offers more detailed technical advice for human resources leads.
The website contains the following key sections:
- Key issues for councillors
- Key issues for chief executives and senior managers
- Defining integrated working
- Key questions to consider at the start
- HR and employment law framework
- Equality frameworks and integrated services
- Organisational redesign and restructuring
- Workforce planning
- Partnerships and shared services
- Managing in a multi-agency context
- Managing workforce changes: HR lessons learned
- Integrating local public services: workforce case study reports
To find out more, visit the IDeA website at: http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=19823160
EMCBE Constructing Excellence Awards 2010
20 Jul 2010
The closing date for entries for the 2010 East Midlands Centre for constructing the Built Environment (EMCBE) Regional Awards will be 27th August and all entries should cover work carried out or completed during 2009/10. Awards will be presented on 14th October 2010, at the Leicester Tigers ground, Aylestone Road, Leicester.
Celebrating the best of construction from your local industry, the Constructing Excellence Awards are open to all organisations and project teams involved in delivering construction and contributing to the built environment in the East Midlands, whether they are developers, clients, contractors, specialist and sub-contractors, members of the design team or other consultants.
Please take some time to consider which category you wish submit an entry for:
- skills and training
- infrastructure
- environmental / sustainability award
- innovation business award
- heritage award
- Achiever's Award
- small business of the year
- client of the year
- project of the year
Submissions should relate to either ongoing work or any project or example of organisational change that will be completed by 27 August 2010.
All entries will be considered by an independent panel of judges.
Deadline for submissions 27 August 2010.
"The Construction Industry Council is proud to be supporting the East Midlands Constructing Excellence Regional Awards for another year.
These awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase how the construction industry is contributing to economic recovery in the region. Even in these difficult times, there are achievements we should all be proud of, whether in schemes completed successfully in the face of budget restrictions, meeting new environmental challenges, researching new issues or innovative staff development and training programmes. The various categories of award cover the contributions of clients, contractors and consultants, and particularly emphasise the benefits of team working across the industry.
Please take a moment to look through the entry criteria, and let us know what you have been doing that we should all be celebrating."
Stephen Heathcote MRTPI RIBA
Chair, Construction Industry Council East Midlands
To find out more visit: http://www.emcbe.com/Events/awards-2010.htm
Neighbourhood Wardens Review
19 Jul 2010
A report on the activities being taken by all the neighbourhood wardens in the East Midlands.
Neighbourhood Wardens are well trained professionals who patrol town centres or neighbourhoods solving environmental problems, reducing anti-social behaviour and fear of crime, but also providing social glue within community neighbourhoods. In the East Midlands there are Neighbourhood Wardens in Ashfield, Broxtowe, Gedling, Newark & Sherwood, Nottingham; Amber Valley, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derby Homes, South Derbyshire, South Kesteven, Lincoln, Hinckley & Bosworth, North West Leicestershire, Northampton and Wellingborough.
This latest review explains what they do.
Lincoln's Apprenticeship Scheme is a Winner!
19 Jul 2010
Council earns national award for apprenticeship scheme.
The City of Lincoln Council is celebrating after it was named 'Large Employer of the Year' at the national Apprenticeship Awards in London on 14 July. The authority, which has had an apprenticeship scheme for 15 years, has won the regional award for the last two years, but this is the first time it has been given the national accolade, beating competition from industry giants from the private sector, Bramall Construction and Scandia UK. The council was praised by judges as a shining example of how hiring apprentices can benefit councils, and the wider public sector.
The ceremony was a double celebration for the council; as well as being awarded the Large Employer of the Year prize, one of its most promising former apprentices, Joel Dowse, who now works in the Anti-Social Behaviour Team, was highly commended in the Apprentice of the Year category.
Andrew Taylor, Chief Executive of the City of Lincoln Council, said:
"I am absolutely over the moon to learn that our apprenticeship scheme has been recognised in this way. I started my own career as an apprentice, so I know how valuable an experience it is. I also know how much work and dedication the scheme has, from officers here to run the scheme and mentor the apprentices, to our learning provider Lincoln College and the apprentices themselves. A big well done to all involved!"
First launched in 1995, the council's apprenticeship scheme has gone from strength to strength, employing around 25 apprentices a year, in business administration, customer services, accountancy, craft and horticulture. The scheme provides young people with an opportunity to gain qualifications, and the skills and experience needed to become confident and valued employees. Craft apprenticeships have developed in partnership with trade unions, with union representatives playing an active role in recruitment and support of apprentices.
There are currently more than 160 former apprentices employed by the council, which benefits from a wealth of local, home-grown talent, and provides young people with continuing opportunities for development and progression.
Jane Newman, City of Lincoln Council's Work-Based Learning Officer, said:
"It's amazing to be selected from all the apprentice employers nationwide to be a winner at the national Apprenticeship Awards. The awards reward and recognise apprentices and the businesses that employ them. I'm delighted to be representing all of the amazing apprentices across the country, who help to make employers more productive, and efficient. Sixty per cent of all our past apprentices still work for our organisation, which is one of the reasons we've embedded apprenticeships into our working culture - apprentices are our lifeblood."
Joel Dowse was also at the awards, having won the regional Apprentice of the Year award in June. He was delighted to have been recognised nationally and received a highly commended award in his category. He said:
"The apprenticeship scheme has given me so much opportunity and really made me much more positive about my career and has helped me get a permanent job in the Anti-Social Behaviour Team that I love."
Karen Woodward, National Apprenticeship Scheme Regional Director for the East Midlands, said:
We are very proud of the City of Lincoln Council for winning such a prestigious award. It is wonderful to see a public sector organisation in our region flying the flag for Apprenticeships. The council - and Joel - deserve great praise for so ably representing all the apprentices and employers in the East Midlands who are achieving so much.
To watch our good practice video case study showcasing the scheme go to: http://www.eastmidlandsiep.gov.uk/emiep-tv/1/27/
To find out more about the scheme, visit: http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/menu_map_level_3.asp?sec_id=4398
Heather Parker, Strategic Programme Planning and Support Manager
Email:
heather.parker@emcouncils.gov.uk
Tel:
01664 502621
