Midlands Highway Alliance - Issue one

16 Jun 2010

This is the first of a quarterly newsletter for Midlands Highway Alliance (MHA) members which provides an insight into schemes and good news stories from around partnership.

MHA are aiming to make sure all members are kept informed of the progress of the various work streams and updated with news
of up and coming events and activities.

For more information visit: www.leics.gov.uk/mha

ESE Practitioner Guides - Asset Management Plans July 2009

17 Mar 2010

A guide for practioners of property asset management on how to write an Asset Management Plan.

OGC Guide to Consultancy Pricing

29 Apr 2010

How to be successful in procuring consultancy services

29 Apr 2010

Guidance for councils to cut the cost of consultants

29 Apr 2010

Culture & Sport Efficency Challenge Programme 2010/11

08 Jul 2011

The Cultural Improvement Partnership East Midlands Evaluation Report

28 May 2010

The Cultural Improvement Partnership East Midlands (CIPEM) three year funding agreement with the cultural agencies and EMIEP ended in March 2010. This independant evalution was undertaken to review the impact and achievement of CIPEM and looks forward to how CIPEM can continue to support local government in a very different economic climate.

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

State of the Nation Report

21 Jun 2010

This report sets out a comprehensive assessment of poverty in the UK in 2010. The Government will use it to inform policy decisions as it advances its aims of tackling poverty and improving life chances, to ensure that everyone has the best possible chance to fulfil their potential.

 State of the Nation: poverty, worklessness & welfare dependancy in the UK

HM Treasury Spending Review

21 Jun 2010

George Osborne has published details of the process and principles that will underpin the Spending Review, which will report in the autumn.

The Spending Review will set spending plans for the whole of this Parliament.

Last year, Britain had the largest deficit in peacetime history and the highest in the G7 and G20. If this rate of borrowing is allowed to continue, it could threaten the UK's economic stability. It could lead to higher interest rates, tax rises and less money for services such as schools, hospitals and policing.

 The Spending Review Framework

East Midlands Local Authority Apprenticeship Agency (EMLAAA) Prospectus

28 May 2010

The East Midlands Improvement & Efficiency Partnership (EM IEP), in partnership with the East Midlands Councils, the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and Unionlearn, is proud to launch the East Midlands Local Authorities Apprenticeship Agency (EMLAAA). EMLAAA seeks to stimulate at least 300 16 to 18 year old Apprenticeship starts across the region in Local Authorities, Schools & Children's Services, and the five Fire Authorities. The planned starts include 20% from Black Minority Ethnic Groups and 5% from those identified as being part of the PSA 16* category.

Using New Powers to Trade and Charge

17 Mar 2010

The Local Government Act 2003 gave certain local authorities in England the power to trade in any of their ordinary functions and charge for discretionary services. The LGA played a central role in lobbying for this change in legislation which is one of a number of increased freedoms and flexibilities given to local government in recent years.

EMPA Business Case 2011

17 Feb 2011

The economic outlook remains turbulent with local authorities planning significant service changes in response to reduced government grant funding over the next 4 years. Local authorities will need to do considerably more with shrinking resources; taking difficult decisions in order to make vital efficiency savings. In such challenging times, we can't just wait and see what happens; we must act now to improve and strengthen public services, collaborate and work better in partnership with other providers.

The empa collaborative construction programme, supported by the East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency partnership, (EM IEP) is making a real difference for local communities by enabling the procurement of high quality public buildings in partnership with experienced contractors, resulting in significant efficiency savings, value for money for the taxpayer and active engagement of the
substantial skills of local businesses.

Delivering More for Less II

27 Oct 2010

We live in one of the most centralised democracies in Europe. However, despite the intricate financial and organisational ties binding local government to central government, councils remain the most efficient part of the public sector. They have consistently squeezed the maximum value out of every pound of public money they spend, and they have directed funds to the places where they will have the most long-term impact in their local communities.

I&DeA Setting Up HR Shared Services in Local Government

30 Jun 2010

The I&DeA and the Institute for Employment Studies have published this document to help local authorities that are considering setting up HR shared services.

Through combining dispersed HR administrative activities, shared services can deliver cost and quality benefits for councils. Shared services can be delivered in-house, outsourced to an external provider or executed in partnership with another organisation. Though likely to be a focus of government public sector saving, shared services needs careful design and excellent implementation.

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.

Improving Public Sector Efficiency

17 Jun 2010

Good practice checklist for public bodies.

Audit Scotland, the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the Wales Audit Office have drawn on our combined knowledge and experience to develop this good practice checklist. We intend for the checklist to promote improvement and facilitate detailed review, reflection and self-assessment by audited bodies. We hope that by setting out the key principles that apply to public bodies in all of the devolved administrations, there will be a consistent tool to help you assess your own approach to efficiency during these challenging times.

WIN's Guide to Saving Money in Waste & Recycling Services

07 Jun 2010

We know the pressure is on you to save money. This guidance covers some of the main things that councils can do (and some have done) to save money while either maintaining or improving services. This can help all councils whether their service is in-house or contracted-out.

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.