IT Power Management

07 May 2010

Leaving computers and monitors on during non-working hours wastes both energy and increases carbon emissions. The most cost-effective solution is for individual users to ensure that they switch off both the computer (PC) and monitor during non-working hours. However the National Energy Foundation (NEF) indicated that around 20-30% of users do not switch off computers during non-working hours.

British Telecom - One Bill

07 May 2010

Are you aware that BT have introduced a charge of £4.50 per qtr for each site not paid by direct debit. This will cost some councils thousands per year if no action is taken. FOr further information see the following attachments, for advice contact Andrew Foster at the EMCE. Question and Answer Information [download MS Word document]
BT Billing Analyst [download MS Word document]
New features for BTBA [download MS Word document]
BT Billing and Value-added Services [download PDF document]
BT Analyst Alert [download PDF document]

How to get a better deal in telecommunications procurement

07 May 2010

How to get a better deal in ICT hardware procurement

07 May 2010

Guidance on contracting for services in light of the Human Rights Act

07 May 2010

This guidance from the DCLG will clarify key points in relation to the confusion that has arisen as to which bodies are subject to the Human Rights Act 1998. Bodies such as local authorities, health authorities and central government departments are obviously covered, but the Act also refers to other bodies (which could be privately-owned), carrying out "functions of a public nature" that are also subject to the Act.

You and Your Contractor

07 May 2010

'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.

Managers' Guide to Procurement

07 May 2010

This guide is designed to help Senior Managers (Chief Executives plus first & second tier managers) in local government play an effective role in procurement. That includes leadership and decision- making roles.

Toolkit for Local Transport Highways Efficiency Gains

07 May 2010

The Highways Efficiency Liaison Group of government, local government and industry representatives, has produced a Toolkit to help local highway authorities identify and claim efficiency gains. Advice is offered on cashable efficiency, valuing service improvements for non cashable efficiency gains, and efficiency from use of capital expenditure. A specific inflation figure to be used for highways is quoted, which is different to that for most other services.

Food Industry Sustainability Strategy Publication (FISS)

07 May 2010

FISS should make it easier for foodservice companies to embrace PSFPI objectives as it is designed to help all those involved in the food and drink industry beyond the farm gate to: provide food choices and information to assist their customers adopt more healthy and balanced diets; and conserve energy and water and minimise waste and vehicle kilometres - so helping to reduce their costs and those of public sector bodies where they provide gas, electricity, water and waste collection.
[link to website]

Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative (PSFPI) Catering Services and Food Procurement Toolkit

07 May 2010

This toolkit is for buyers and non-procurement professionals and seeks to provide you with practical guidance and templates to help you procure catering services and food from wholesalers and producers. [More information here]

The background to FOI

07 May 2010

In January 2005, the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) became fully operational. This means that any member of the public can ask a public authority for any information that the authority may hold. With notably few exceptions, the authority will have to provide that information though it may make a charge for the service. Individuals making requests for information do not have to state that they are making a request under FOI. Also, provided they make the request in writing, they can submit requests anywhere within the authority - they are not legally obliged to send the request to a designated officer. In theory, for example, a person could hand a letter requesting information about a recent council meeting to a refuse collector. The council is obliged to treat this as an FOI request and deal with it accordingly. The authority has 20 working days, starting from the day after the request is first received, to respond to the request. Within that time, the authority has a duty to confirm or deny that it holds the required information. If the authority does hold the information, it is required to disclose it - unless it meets one of the exemption categories.

The main categories for exemption are:
1) National Security 2) Law Enforcement 3) Commercial Interest 4) Personal Data

Related Documents

Evidence of the FOI Act - [download PDF document]

Implementing the FOI Act - [download PDF document]

FOI and Good Practice for District Councils - [download PDF document]

DCA Procurement Guidance

07 May 2010

The Department for Constitutional Affairs recently released this document detailing working assumptions designed to provide you with a guide to how requests for certain kinds of information should be treated within the different phases of procurement processes, and in the period immediately after a contract has been completed.

How to get a better deal in fleet procurement

07 May 2010

How to get a better deal in fuel procurement

07 May 2010

OGC - Competitive Dialogue in 2008

07 May 2010

4ps Competitive Dialogue Process Guidance

07 May 2010

4ps has published a user freindly guide to help local authorities understand the competitive dialogue process. Introduced last year, competititve dialogue is used to improve the procurement of particularly complex projects.

OGC Guidance on Central Purchasing Bodies: New Procurement Regulations

07 May 2010

The new public procurement directives include a specific provision on Central Purchasing Bodies ? see Article 11 of the Public Sector Directive (2004/18/EC) and Article 29 of the Utilities Directive (2004/17/EC). This is the first time such a provision has appeared in the public procurement directives and it will be transposed into the new UK Regulations which must implement the new Directives by 31 January 2006. Further information about the new provision is set out in following downloadable document. DOWNLOAD: OGC Guidance on Central Purchasing Bodies

LCE Energy Procurement Models

07 May 2010

This paper sets out the high level procurement model defining the scope of the energy procurement service provider function and the respective roles of each organisation involved in the supply of electricity and gas and its associated administration to public sector bodies.

How to be successful in energy procurement

07 May 2010

How to get a better deal in energy procurement

07 May 2010