The biweekly efficiency and improvement bulletin is produced by the South West Centre of Excellence (SWCoE) on behalf of the LIFT SW Partnership (GOSW, IDeA, SWLGA, SWCoE).
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If you wish to include efficiency or improvement articles in the next bulletin, or add your name to the circulation list please email swce@dorsetcc.gov.uk.
Update on 'Modern Councillor' e-learning portal
Earlier this year, the LIFT SW Partnership purchased 2 year’s membership of the Learning Pool’s new Modern Councillor e-learning portal http://www.moderncouncillor.com/. Each authority in the south west has signed up to e-learning as a way for members - new or otherwise - to benefit from learning at their own pace, in their own time, selecting short interactive and engaging modules that are of interest to them. For the next 2 years elected members have FREE access to this e-learning resource!
Available modules include: Your role as a Councillor, Introduction to Local Government, Overview of the Code of Conduct, Partnership working, IT in Local Government, Working with the Media, Community Leadership, Overview & Scrutiny, Public Speaking, Licensing & Regulation, Chairing meetings
Further modules on negotiating & influencing, risk management, financial skills and using mobile technology are expected before the end of February 2008.
Download additional information about how to access the e-learning portal from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/workstreams/improvement/Electedmemberselearning.htm
For further information contact:
Ann Penwell - 07917557366, a.penwell@dorsetcc.gov.uk
APM Introductory Certificate - dates for 2008
Reflecting the growing importance of project management in the workplace LIFT SW has arranged an Association of Project Management's Introductory certificate course to be held on the following dates:
- Monday 17th - Wednesday 19th March 2008 - Burraton House Conference Centre, Dorchester
- Tuesday 15th - Thursday 17th April 2008 - Somerset College of Arts and Technology, Taunton
The course is held over two and a half days and each place is 60% funded by the SWCoE - making the cost only £215 per local government officer (inclusive of examination entry).
Download additional information and book your place online from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/skillsdevelopment/APMIntro.htm
For further information contact:
Claire Morecroft - 01305 755490, c.morecroft@dorsetcc.gov.uk
National Procurement Programme On the Money Guides
The RCE National Procurement Programme team have published seven further On the Money Guides, helping local authorities to make savings in the following areas: energy, fleet, fuel, ICT hardware, print, telecoms and translations.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.rce.gov.uk/rce/core/page.do?pageId=39225
For further information contact:
Gillian Brindle - 01305 757232, g.brindle@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Construction / Property Contacts
The COPROP Southwest Construction Programme is undertaking an update of its regional Contacts Database.
The database provides contact details for specialists / interested parties in various aspects of Property Services and Construction – anything from Access Issues to Whole Life Costing, from Asset Management to Structural Engineering – in local authorities around the region.
It’s an instant network resource for anyone who wants to get in touch with fellow professionals. Whether you’re looking for specialist advice or support, or to sound out interest in an initiative, this is a good place to start.
Check that your council’s details are on the database and up-to-date from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/workstreams/construction/copropswcontactsdatabse.htm
For further information contact:
Tony Gale - 01363 776108, tony.gale@beaufortwest.co.uk
Real Collaboration Guide
This guide is designed to help local authorities develop and manage projects with other local authorities. However, it can be used by anyone who needs guidance on working together with others to achieve aims that would difficult to achieve alone.
Download the guide from the following link:
http://www.pas.gov.uk/pas/core/page.do?pageId=46132
Ten-step process for managing people in organisational development
Your council goes through many stages of change as it develops and improves. This new resource sets out 10 critical change stages, and compares ways local authorities can use two tools for managing change - the People Management Peer Review and Investors in People.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=7408433
