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).
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO INTERESTED COLLEAGUES
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.
Spend Analysis Training
Exor, the company who produce our Spend Analysis has upgraded 'Exorforce' to a new platform in June 2007. Some general training sessions took place, however the potential of the system was not fully explored.
Since then, the system has been developed and improved. Prior to the release of the improved system, we would like to invite you to host and attend an enhanced training session run by Exor to help you understand the benefits of using the Exorforce system, and also feedback directly to Exor any changes you would like to be taken into consideration for future enhancements. This is a great opportunity for you (and Exor) to understand more about how the system can be used to review spend within your organisation.
These sessions will be held at your offices, and are intended to include up to 8 people per group. Access to up to 4 internet linked PC's will be required. Sessions will be tailored to your data and to suit your requirements, for example, how to use your data to create a business case for pcards, or how to reduce your list of suppliers.
It is possible to run more than one session per day as each will take 1/2 day to complete, and the cost of the trainer for each session will be met by LIFT SW (maximum 2 sessions per authority). These sessions can be held in February, March and April, and once your training is completed you will have full access to the new systems. Please contact me by 1st February to arrange a suitable date if you wish to take advantage of this training offer.
For further information contact:
Dominic Hill (Exor) - 01992 707251 or Gillian Brindle - 01305 757232, g.brindle@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Equalities Workshops
A series of equalities agenda workshops, will be run in January and February 2008. These workshops have been designed to update and deepen knowledge of the realities of discrimination, disadvantage and the relevant equalities law – they will focus particularly on how to meet statutory and best practice standards.
Forthcoming workshops include:
Gender/Transgender Discrimination Workshop - 30th January 2008
People sometimes say that gender inequality is over, yet the reality is that more women are in caring, catering and cleaning than in higher paid plumbing, carpentry or senior management jobs. We will also explore transgender discrimination.
This workshop offers delegates:
- An understanding of the realities of continued gender inequality and discrimination
- Knowledge of the law on Sex discrimination, Equal Pay and the positive duty to promote gender equality
- An opportunity to share good practice on gender equality
- Knowledge of issues around Transgender and gender reassignment
Race Discrimination - 5th February 2008
The Race Relations legislation was the first to place a pro-active duty on public authorities to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity and good relations between different racial groups, and can be seen in many respects as the forerunner of subsequent legislation in other areas.
This workshop offers delegates:
- An outline of the key provisions of the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Race Relations (A) Act 2000 as it relates to employment and service delivery
- A working definition of the notion of Institutional Racism, and how it is ‘presented’ within organisational systems based on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report
- Develop a working understanding of the legislation, as it affects employment and service delivery, through the use of case studies and the sharing of good practice
- To develop participants’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to the statutory duty and best practice standards.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/Events/
LIFT SW Construction Project
The Construction section of the LIFT SW website now includes more information about two of our key product offers, with hyperlinks to supplier websites:
- Building Software Ltd, our software partners for the Cost & Performance Management Database, and
- Exor Group, our preferred suppliers of contractor and consultant accreditation services.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/workstreams/construction/
For further information contact:
Tony Gale - 01363 776108,tony.gale@beaufortwest.co.uk
Residential care & supported living toolkit update
The latest bulletin on the toolkit is now available on to read about the progress of the National Toolkit for making decisions about purchasing residential care and supported living.
This toolkit is being developed by the Regional Centres of Excellence to support local authority commissioners to ensure improved outcomes for service users and the best use of resources.
The toolkit aims to help providers and local authorities by achieving a better understanding of the market for accommodation-based care for adults with a learning disability. The toolkit will include a version for use by service users and their carers under individualised budgets.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.sece.gov.uk/newsstory.asp?PageRef=7&NewsRef=231
New BPI Framework Set to Save Millions for English Authorities
All English local and regional Public Bodies can save valuable time and millions of pounds by using a new Business Process Improvement framework put in place by the West Midlands Regional Improvement & Efficiency Partnership (WM RIEP).
The Business Process Improvement / Lean System Thinking Framework will cut costs for UK authorities using consultants by competitive fixed rates for four years while bringing together three key improvement elements to Business Process Improvement (BPI) from experienced suppliers in:
- BPI / Lean Systems Thinking
- Programme & Project Management
- Leadership & Change Management
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.wmcoe.gov.uk/index.php?page=331
Transforming your Business Processes - WMRIEP Conference 2008
This conference will give you the opportunity to experience first hand the latest thinking around improving your business practices including Public Sector case studies. You will ‘meet the suppliers’ of the Business Process Improvement Framework Agreement and a programme of strategic workshops.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.wmcoe.gov.uk/index.php?page=27&iID=627
National Sustainable Procurement Conference & Exhibition
This one-day public sector conference will provide delegates with a unique insight into recent developments and outline the Government’s current sustainability goals and how they can be achieved.
Responsible for an annual procurement spend in excess of £140 billion, the UK public sector market is the largest buyer of goods and services in the country.
It is unsurprising then that public sector procurement practitioners are under increasing pressure to ensure that their procurement makes a positive contribution to the environment, and the recent publication of the Sustainable Procurement National Action Plan has ensured that this issue is high on the agenda for procurement professionals and suppliers working across this sector.
Download additional information and book your place online from the following link:
http://www.bipsolutions.com/events/mtf07/index.html
Transforming your Business Processes - WMRIEP Conference 2008 - 8th April, Birmingham
This conference will give you the opportunity to experience first hand the latest thinking around improving your business practices including Public Sector case studies. You will ‘meet the suppliers’ of the Business Process Improvement Framework Agreement and a programme of strategic workshops.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.wmcoe.gov.uk/index.php?page=27&iID=627
National Sustainable Procurement Conference & Exhibition - 26th March, London
This one-day public sector conference will provide delegates with a unique insight into recent developments and outline the Government’s current sustainability goals and how they can be achieved.
Responsible for an annual procurement spend in excess of £140 billion, the UK public sector market is the largest buyer of goods and services in the country.
It is unsurprising then that public sector procurement practitioners are under increasing pressure to ensure that their procurement makes a positive contribution to the environment, and the recent publication of the Sustainable Procurement National Action Plan has ensured that this issue is high on the agenda for procurement professionals and suppliers working across this sector.
Download additional information and book your place online from the following link:
http://www.bipsolutions.com/events/mtf07/index.html
Measuring and Reporting Value for Money Gains
Communities and Local Government has produced a note providing advice to councils on measuring and reporting value for money gains.
Download the document from the following link:
http://www.rcoe.gov.uk/rce/aio/47549
OGC Framework
OGC has recently implemented a new framework agreement for the purchase of financial reports on suppliers to assist public sector bodies with the supplier financial appraisal process during their procurements. The more reports purchased by the public sector, the cheaper the reports will become.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.ogc.gov.uk/procurement_resources_financial_reports_framework.asp
Financing issues guidance now available
New guidance to help local authorities select the most appropriate financing option for capital projects across all sectors, including adult services, children's services, corporate services, housing, leisure, transport and waste has recently been published by 4ps.
Local authorities need to procure capital projects in order to deliver effective services for local people and it is vital that local authorities choose the right financing option in order to help achieve each project's objectives and use their resources as efficiently as possible. 4ps guidance outlines the generic financing options available to local authorities and considers the pros and cons of each option.
The guidance has been produced for local authority treasurers, heads of finance, project directors and others involved with procuring capital projects. Private sector bidders and advisors can also use the guidance to improve their understanding of local authority financing issues in order to facilitate better working between the public and private sectors.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.4ps.gov.uk/
Understanding the OGC Gateway Process
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) developed the OGC Gateway Process as part of the Modernisation Agenda, to support the delivery of improved public services.
This OGC Gateway event includes:
- Policy development and implementation
- Organisational change and other change initiatives
- Acquisition programmes and projects
- Property/construction developments
- IT-enabled business change
- Procurements using or establishing framework arrangements
Attend this event and gain an understanding of the OGC gateway process.
Download additional information and book your place online from the following link:
http://www.bipsolutions.com/events/uogcgp08/index.html
