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Welcome to this earlier and slightly shorter bulletin. Feel free to circulate this email to your colleagues and suggest that they sign up to receive it themselves. This bulletin is delivered through our corporate communications service through which you can create or manage your subscriptions and read previous editions of this bulletin
Investing in commercial capability across local government
Crown Commercial Service (CCS), the UK's largest public buying organisation, are joining the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the LGA, and the Cabinet Office to boost commercial capability across local government through a new contract management training programme. Over the next 12 months almost 200 local government officers who are required to manage contracts as part of their duties will have the opportunity to complete the Contract Management Pioneer Programme. The training programme supports the Government’s agenda to build back better by ensuring that contracting authorities are able to effectively manage the key stages of commercial delivery. To register your interest please email productivity@local.gov.uk
Cyber security update on the use of Russian-based antivirus software and other Russian IT applications
Councils are encouraged to read and follow the latest National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidance on actions to take when the cyber threat is heightened which advises that all public sector organisations, including councils, should reconsider their risk if they are using Russian technology. It is highly unlikely that individuals and the majority of enterprises will be targeted unless they are linked to Ukraine or Russia, or if a compromise of their position could be considered a public relations win. However, consideration should be given to the possibility of Russian companies being subject to sanctions, which would prevent the updating of their products, such as antivirus software. Organisations and individuals are ultimately responsible for, and best placed to consider, what risk the use of Russian software products poses for them. NSCS has also published a helpful blog post on the use of Russian technology products following the invasion of Ukraine.
Embedding cyber security in local government supply chains – procurement officers required for stakeholder interviews
As we mentioned last week, our LGA Cyber Resilience Project is developing learning materials to embed cyber resilience into local government supply chains. We have received an excellent response from your IT teams but we still want to hear views and experiences from procurement officers and contract managers who will, understandably, have lower levels of exposure and understanding to these ever-growing issues. Gaining the procurement officer perspective is crucial to ensuring that the guidance is helpful, relevant and effective for you in your everyday roles. If you would like to be involved, please email andrew@public.io or book a 30 to 45-minute LGA Cyber Resilience Project stakeholder interview
UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) launched with £2.6 billion in funding
The Government has published the prospectus and allocations for the £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This has provided additional details of the next steps for lead authorities to develop their local investment plans for the fund. The prospectus includes detail on partnership engagement, approval processes, performance management and the resources available to build capacity to deliver the fund. The LGA welcomes the recognition of the role of local democratic leaders will play in the fund and the removal of competitive bidding processes which is something the LGA has consistently called for. The LGA will continue to review the prospectus and provide a detailed briefing which will be available on our UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) webpage in the coming days.
Agreement with major developers to fund building safety repairs
More than 35 of the UK’s biggest homebuilders have pledged to fix all of the unsafe buildings above 11 metres in height that they have built. They have signed contracts with government to fix buildings as quickly as possible, regularly report to leaseholders and government on progress and refund money already received from the taxpayer to fix their buildings. In the agreement with major developers to fund building safety repairs, the Government is introducing new powers that could be enforced on a developer should they breach the agreement, as well as on any remaining companies who fail to sign up. These new powers would allow the Secretary of State to block those who refuse to sign from building and selling new homes. We are pleased that the Government has listened to calls the LGA has been making for several years to protect leaseholders from the costs of two decades of industry failure. Under the new agreement, which will become legally enforceable, over 35 of the UK’s biggest homebuilders have pledged to fix all buildings with a height of over 11 metres that they have played a role in developing in the last 30 years.
Children in care Ofsted study
Ofsted has published the findings of its study into the experiences of 113 children in care, which has revealed a ‘lack of collective knowledge’ about the needs of children in care. The ‘Why do children go into children’s homes?’ report also draws on discussions between inspectors and children’s home staff. Although a children’s home placement had not been the original care plan for just under half of children taking part in the study, around three quarters of these children were found to be well matched to their home. Ofsted are calling for a national audit of children needs to be carried out to provide better understanding of the experiences of children in care, and of the complexities of sufficiency in children’s social care.
Thursday 21 April, 9am–5pm | In person at Novotel London West (Hammersmith), One Shortlands, London W6 8DR, partly streamed online
The Local Government Procurement Expo (LGPE) 2022 will take place in an innovative hybrid format – live at the Novotel Hammersmith with some elements streamed online. This event brings the local government community together with the UK’s top suppliers. For our members who have still to attend their first LGPE, we encourage you to get involved. The expo offers a fulfilling day of personal procurement training and, by attending, you will find out more about the key issues that affect all of us who work within local government in the UK.
Wednesday 27–Thursday 28 April, 9am–5pm | Online, and at Church House, 31 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BN
The fifth annual National Social Value Conference will bring together social value experts and practitioners from a variety of sectors and industries across the UK. This year’s event marks the 10-year anniversary of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012. And as we dive into ‘the social value decade’, you’ll hear from experts in the public, private and third sectors on the successes so far – and the challenges that lie ahead.
Thursday 28 April, 9.30am–1.30pm | Online
This conference will feature a mix of keynote, breakout and led discussion sessions. The four key sessions with speakers and facilitators will cover:
- developing communities of practice
- 'the rocky road to accreditation'
- breakout workshops
- contract resilience.
Thursday 28 April, 10am–11.30am | Online
The Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool has proven popular with local authorities for their emissions reporting since its launch in 2020. With feedback from users, it has undergone further development ahead of the new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) conversion factors being released in June 2022. This webinar will discuss the improvements and changes to the tool, as well as providing guidance on Scope 3 emissions reporting.
Wednesday 25 May, 9.30am–5.30pm | Central London location (venue to be confirmed)
Set against the context of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented economic and social challenges faced by communities across the country, this seminar will explore how public bodies can harness the full potential of social enterprises as purpose-aligned partners to the public sector.
Through cases studies, expert commentary and interactive discussions, participants will explore how social enterprises can bring intrinsic social value, agility and innovation – and how they can work with public sector commissioners in relational partnerships, at scale, to meet the needs of people and communities.
Thursday 23–Friday 24 June | The Hayes Conference Centre, Hayes Lane, Swanwick, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 1AU
Organised by commissioners for commissioners, the Children's Commissioning Conference is the event to share best practice from across commissioning. This event will include over 30 workshops focused on informing and improving commissioning offering the opportunity to learn from commissioning colleagues and children’s services experts.
The LGA Procurement team manages several LGA webpages dedicated to your needs. Please email guy.head@local.gov.uk if you would like any information added to our webpages:
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