LIFT SW Efficiency & Improvement News: 25th October 2007
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.
LIFT SW (RIEP) - Regional Improvement and Efficiency Event - 4th December, Taunton
The objective of this event is to helpofficers, elected members and regional stakeholdersto understand central government and Audit Commission perspectives of CSR07 and the broader change issues, particularly in the SW. It is also an opportunity to shape the LIFT SW improvement and efficiency strategy for local authority support.
The scale of the CSR07 challenge is now clear and councils are preparing plans for themselves and with public sector partners. The expectation is that authorities will drive efficiency and improvement and also deliver better outcomes for local people. Also that support is led by the sector for the sector: "sector-led support".
With national funding to support improvement and efficiency pitched at about £180m, strong Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs) are at the heart of making this a success. The vehicle for support in the South West will be the LIFT SW Partnership (RIEP): the partnership of authorities and support agencies in the South West.
LIFT SW is constructing a comprehensive support programme, building on the work that has already been started by the SW Regional Centre of Excellence and the Improvement Programme. This seminar will show-case some of the support already available and outline how to access support and funding in 2008/09 and beyond.
The event also will provide an opportunity for elected members and senior officers to discover more about the range of resources and support available to local authorities to unlock value for money, meet the 3% efficiency target and improve services by building strong partnerships.
Speakers and participants from the Local Government Association (LGA) and Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) will also feature at the event.Download additional information and book your place online from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/Events/regionalimprovementandefficiencyevent.htm
For more further information contact:Claire Morecroft - 01305, c.morecroft@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Fundamentals of Lean Systems Thinking Course - December 2007
LIFT SW Partnership are pleased to annouce two new dates for the Lean Systems Thinking Course for December 2007.
Lean systems thinking is a new way of designing and managing work by managing the organisation as a process rather than as a top-down hierarchy. It gives you more control, lower costs and better service by putting the customer first and managing in line with customer demand. The results are higher customer and stakeholder satisfaction, less waste, more capacity, lower costs and more scope for growth. The cost of the course is only £84 per delegate.
The dates currently available are:
Thursday 6th December - Taunton
Monday 10th December - Bath
Please be aware that this is a very popular course and places are limited so booking will be on a first come first served basis.
Download additional information and book your place online from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/skillsdevelopment/lean.htm
For further information contact:
Claire Morecroft - 01305 755490, c.morecroft@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Major extensions to the business improvement package (BIP) website
The Business Improvement Package now incorporates significant extensions in terms of both breadth and depth. This is the result of a collaborative exercise by CLG and the RCEs. October has seen the addition of extensive new material developed by the SWCoE on behalf of the RCE community, and November will see the addition of further CLG material deriving from the NPIP projects. The BIP is a continually developing resource, and aims to provide a 'single landing site' for those seeking support with business improvement, providing links to a wealth of freely available good practice materials - templates, guidance, case studies, etc., - as well as other sources of support.
Access the Business Improvement Package from the following link:
http://bip.rcoe.gov.uk/rce/core/page.do?pageId=1
For further information contact:
Peter Shields - 07799 038394, peter.shields@idea.gov.uk
Gearing up for change – planning for unitary status
The IDeA has published a new guide on planning for Local Government Reorganisation. 'Gearing up for change' is for councillors in areas where new unitary local government structures are being planned. It is aimed at council leaders, senior members and overview and scrutiny councillors involved in the changes. It will also be relevant to other councillors, chief executives and senior managers. It draws on the knowledge of members and officers with direct experience of previous local government reorganisation.
Download the guide from the following link:
http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=7226457
WIN - Waste & Recycling Officer Mentoring Scheme
The RCE's Waste Information Network (WIN) has initiated an innovative Waste & Recycling Officer Mentoring Scheme (WROMS). The project is designed to allow users to:
- Take part in regular, on-line, interactive web conferencing events on a range of waste management issues
- Hear first hand examples of best practice schemes from around the country, direct from the people who are implementing those schemes
- Get advice and support on a range of issues from collection to efficiency to joint working
- Access previous events and listen to what the experts had to say
- Download and use the Interwise web conferencing software - you can even create your own on-line meetings with colleagues - all for free!
The next event is on 'Joint Waste Authorities' (Sarah Fairbrother of Defra presenting), and will be held on Wednesday 7th Nov 2007, 14:00 - 15:00.
To participate in WROMS you will need to be a registered WIN user - registration is free for all local authorities.
Download additional information about how to register on WIN and/or participate in WROMS events from the following link:
http://www.win.org.uk
For further information contact:
Hamid Kennedy - 01305 755494, h.kennedy@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Collaborative Opportunities
Dorset County Council are leading a procurement for leased vehicles which is likely to result in a collaborative e-auction funded by the SWCoE. The contract will be for cars and small vans and is currently being let for authorities in Dorset. If you are outside of Dorset but would like to be part of this contract, contact Sean Adams at Dorset County Council by 1st November in order for your requirements to be included in the contract.
For further information contact:
Sean Adams - 01305 221263 s.w.adams@dorsetcc.gov.uk
New Community Empowerment Resources
IDeA explain what initiatives, such as, participatory budgeting and asset management mean for your council, and how you can stay ahead of this challenging new agenda.
Download further information from the following link:
http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=7381994
IDeA Improvement Express
The October edition of IDeA’s Improvement Express includes:
- preparing for the new unitary councils
- scrutiny is a top issue at party conferences
- desktop coach for middle managers
- winner of the Best Council to Work For
- Sarah Wood heads third sector commissioning
- understanding neighbourhoods
- the IDeA at the SOLACE annual conference
Download the October edition from the following link:
http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/7291665
