LIFT SW Efficiency & Improvement News: 12th 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.
CSR07 summary
As part of CSR07 local government has been set the target of realising savings of £4.9bn across 2008-11. LIFT SW has pulled together a summary of the main local authority related headlines.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/news/latestnews/CSR07.htm
Officers may also be interested in the LIFT SW Strategic Savings event on 30th October in Exeter (see news item below), which will showcase practical examples of how authorities can realise cashable savings through better buying and other efficiency related mechanisms.
Southwest One (previously known as ISIS) contract signed
Somerset County Council and Taunton Deane Borough council have signed a contract to create a new Joint Venture Company with IBM, at a total value of approximately £400 million over ten years.
The Taunton-based Joint Venture Company entitled 'Southwest One' will be run by staff seconded from both councils and IBM. Southwest One will deliver to both councils: Finance; Information and Communication
Technology; Human Resources; Somerset Direct and Customer Services; Property Services; Facilities Management; Design, Print and Postal Services; and Procurement. In addition they will also deliver to SCC only - Traded Services to schools; and to TDBC only - Revenues; Benefits; and Corporate Administration.
The venture is the first of its kind in the South West and builds on successful shared services initiatives in other parts of the country. The Joint Venture includes a framework agreement (supported by LIFT SW) entitling other public sector organisations in the South West to acquire similar services through the partnership.
Southwest One will be running a workshop seminar at the LIFT SW Strategic Savings event on 30th October in Exeter.
Download additional information from the following link: http://www.southwestone.co.uk/
For further information contact: Hamid Kennedy - 01305 755494, h.kennedy@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Standard Procurement templates, documents and guidance
The Regional Centres of Excellence have developed a comprehensive source of standard procurement templates, documents and guidance.
The documentation includes:
- Contract Award and Rejection Letters
- Contract Procedure Rules
- Equality and Diversity Policy Documents
- Financial Thresholds Guidance
- Pre-Qualification Questionnaire Documentation
- Tender Documents
- Terms and Conditions
- General Documentation
Download these documents from the following link:
http://www.nwce.gov.uk/docking-station/default.php
For further information contact:
Gillian Brindle - 01305 757230, g.brindle@dorsetcc.gov.uk
South West Commissioning Support Unit
At the Commissioning Forum meeting on 21st September delegates from authorities in the South West cut a celebratory cake to mark the launch of their Collaborative Commissioning Support Unit (CCSU).
As well as facilitating the region's Commissioning and Provider Forums the Unit is working with the Hertfordshire based Cross Regional Placement Database to provide information support and initiate and support sub-regional pilot projects. Successful projects already underway include seven authorities tendering together for residential services, five authorities working towards tendering every child's placement, and a further extension of both these activities into residential SEN placements and mapping health therapy provision with independent providers.
The CCSU has evolved from the South West Centre of Excellence Children's Services programme and is one of the DCSF funded Regional Commissioning Pilots. The unit is supported by South West Directors of Children's Services and exists to help authorities to work together for better Outcomes for Children and improved Value for Money.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.swce.gov.uk/workstreams/childrensservices
For further information contact:
John Lees, 07920 501589 - j.lees@dorsetcc.gov.uk
European Year of Equal Opportunities for All Conference 'Focus on Youth ' National Debate, 22nd October - Exeter
In support of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for All 2007, Equality South West, in conjunction with the Commission for Equality and Human Rights and the Department for Work and Pensions, is hosting the above conference on 22nd October 2007 at Sandy Park Conference Centre in Exeter.
The four core themes of the Year are:
- Rights - raising awareness of the right to equality and non-discrimination;
- Representation - stimulating a debate on ways to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in society;
- Recognition - celebrating and accommodating diversity;
- Respect - promoting a more cohesive society
As the focus of the conference is on youth and issues affecting young people attendees from the 16 - 25 age range would be most welcome.
However, people who work with, on behalf of, or care for young people, or those with an interest in youth issues would also be welcome.
The conference is an opportunity to discuss issues affecting young people and to feed into a report which will be based on the findings of the day and sent to the European Union.
For further information contact:
Abbie Pepperell - 01823 250837, abbie.pepperell@southwest.org.uk
LIFT SW Strategic Savings Event, 30th October - Exeter
Releasing cashable savings through increased efficiency and better buying is the watch-word for CSR07, which is targeting 9% savings over the period 2008/09 to 2010/11 for local authorities. The LIFT SW 'Strategic Savings' event on 30th October 2007 at Sandy Park, Exeter, is focussed on showcasing practical projects that have already delivered gains for local authorities in the South West and nationally. The projects cover major authority spend areas including goods and services procurement, construction, adult and children's services and the two key themes of sustainability and the third-sector.
The event is targeted at local authority managers, elected members and anyone who is tasked with delivering efficiency gains without impacting service delivery.
For further information contact:
Gillian Brindle - 01305 757232, g.brindle@dorsetcc.gov.uk
What Care Services Efficiency Delivery (CSED) Can do for you, 6th November - London
With the publication of CSR07 CSED's work supporting councils to develop sustainable efficiency improvements in adult social care is now of even greater value and importance.
CSED workstreams, initiatives and tools, designed to provide an end-to-end solution have all been developed in collaboration with councils across England. CSED are holding two national events, in Manchester, 30 October, 2007 and London 6 November, 2007 where council officers can see first hand the benefits of working with CSED, and the timely value of the solutions on offer.
Attendance is open to all council staff active in adult social care, however these events are principally aimed at Directors, Assistant Directors and Heads of Service.
The day will include an outline of products and services, and provide an opportunity to hear from councils who are benefiting from working with CSED.
For further information contact:
CSED Events Team - 020 7034 3290, CSEDevents@innovision.eu
Transforming Your Community: Challenges and Inspirations, 6th November - Bristol
All councillors in the south west region are invited to a seminar that has been organised by the Western Improvement Partnership, hosted by Bristol City Council, and sponsored by the LIFT SW Partnership. The event will take place on Tuesday 6th November at The Council House, Bristol.
Key topics and speakers at this seminar:
- Leading Your Community - Local Government Act 2007; Implications for leadership at the neighbourhood/ locality level including the Community
- Call for Action - Professor Steve Leach, De Montfort University
- Engaging Your Community - Experiences of an elected place shaper - A councillor's perspective
- Judi Billin, Head of Leadership Programmes, IDEA and North Hertfordshire District Councillor.
- Empowering Your Community ?Making community empowerment a reality
- Dick Musket, Senior Associate for Neighbourhood and Local Innovation, The Young Foundation.
The seminar will be introduced and chaired by Cllr Helen Holland,Leader of Bristol City Council.
For further information and to book your place please contact:
Rachel Boast (Councillor Development Officer Bristol) - 0117 922 2097, rachel.boast@bristol.gov.uk by 22 OCTOBER 2007
Temporary Staffing Procurement Framework
The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) has established a temporary staffing procurement framework with over 53 national suppliers (excluding the London Boroughs). The deal includes prices for Care Workers and Senior Care Workers.
The multi-regional framework agreement provides:
- a simplified pricing structure using Agenda for Change pay bands
- significant savings through bringing agency pay rates much closer to NHS pay rates
- a robust quality specification
- improved service user, service provider safety and reduced clinical risk through NHS PASA's programme of annual supplier audits.
- clear job profiles - with the flexibility to add new jobs to the existing charge structure as new needs are identified
- a template Service Level Agreement (SLA) to enable stakeholders to develop bespoke service agreements with their preferred agencies and benefit from an additional discount offered by most suppliers for an SLA
- indirect savings on administrative costs by eliminating the need for local tender exercises ongoing price controls for the duration of the agreement
If you are considering renewing or consolidating contracts in this area the framework is available to local authorities in the South West region and could save significant contacting tendering and management resource (in addition to competitive pricing through this deal).
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.ogc.gov.uk/tempstaff
For further information please contact:
Guy Jennings (Category Team Leader Office of Government Commerce) - 07824
383304, Guy.Jennings@ogc.gsi.gov.uk
Leadership Competencies: a new learning tool
Political and managerial leadership in local government requires many skills. The IDeA has partnered with Ashridge Business School to produce a new online resource centre with customised access to leadership development materials. Sign in to IDeA Knowledge and follow the link to the Ashridge resource. There you can choose a leadership competency to work on from the leading edge material provided.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=5221549
DEFRA Waste Evidence Programme will Help Build Knowledge
The DEFRA Waste and Resources Evidence Strategy 2007-2011 summarises the key areas where research will be commissioned and evidence sought over the next few years. The programme will inform delivery of the Government's Waste Strategy for England 2007, published in May, which set out priorities on waste prevention, minimisation, recycling, recovery, and energy production.
Download additional information from the following link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/wip/research/index.htm
