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Please note, the next edition of this bulletin will be sent on Friday 6 January.
On behalf of the LGA Procurement Team we would like to wish you all a happy Christmas and we look forward to a smooth transition into the new procurement regime in the new year.
Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24
The Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24 was published earlier this week. The Government figures indicate that core spending power will rise by an average 9.2 per cent in 2023/24. However, district councils will see a lower core spending power increase next year. Our Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24 On the Day Briefing summarises the key announcements for councils and provides an initial LGA view.
Heat Network Efficiency Scheme HNES
The Heat Network Efficiency Scheme (HNES) will be open for applications next February. The scheme is a £32 million grant support programme that will provide funding to public, private and third sector applicants to support improvements to existing district heating or communal heating projects operating sub-optimally, resulting in poor outcomes for customers and operators.
Heat supplier notification window – register by Friday 6 January
The Government recently introduced several amendments to the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) regulations relating to heat networks. Some councils and housing associations operate heat networks and will be subject to these regulations as ‘heat suppliers’.
One of the amendments supports the investigation and resolution of potential customer complaints by the Energy Ombudsman and the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland. All heat suppliers – including those that are councils or housing associations – now need to register and provide their name, business address and contact details by completing the Heat Networks Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) Pass-through Notification Form.
Heat suppliers need to register by Friday 6 January and those who fail to update their details could receive a fine of up to £5,000. If you have any questions, please email heatnetworks@beis.gov.uk
Councils are encouraged to share the Government guidance on
Guidance on the Energy Bill Relief Scheme pass-through requirements as appropriate with housing departments, housing associations and relevant colleagues.
New UK Government Resilience Framework to strengthen how the UK prepares for, and responds to, emergencies
The Government has published a new UK Government Resilience Framework which sets out a new Government strategy to strengthen national resilience – a new ‘whole of society’ approach to emergency planning which encourages individuals, businesses and other organisations to play their part in building resilience across the UK.
The framework follows the commitment made in the Integrated Review for greater strategic planning in resilience, to strengthen the approach to preparedness and civil protection. It sets out a number of commitments across six themes – risk, responsibilities and accountability, partnerships, communities, skills and investment.
Opportunities to find out more
Cabinet Office plan to run three open-access webinars for those who want to know more about the journey through the Lords and next steps. You can register for these here: Transforming Public Procurement Update, Friday 13 January, 10:30am - 11:30am Transforming Public Procurement Update, Wednesday 18 January, 2:00pm - 3:00pm Transforming Public Procurement Update, Monday 23 January, 2:30pm - 3:30pm The Transforming Public Procurement landing page is the government’s repository for a range of information about the programme and we also have our own, sector specific web resource with all the latest updates that are relevant specifically to councils.
Request for information
Chesterfield Borough Council is seeking information about renewing gas and electricity supply contracts
Chesterfield Borough Council is looking to procure new gas and electricity supply contracts from April 2023 and are looking for councils who have gone through the process recently to share their experiences and information regarding procurement and suppliers. For the past few years, Chesterfield Borough Council has sourced its gas and electricity through the Countess of Chester Framework, under a fixed price; but they are now considering their options including going through the Crown Commercial Service Framework.
Please email steven.caplan@chesterfield.gov.uk if you have recently renewed your gas and electricity contracts and are happy to share your experience.
Leisure Services Energy Cost
Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres have been disproportionately affected by rising energy costs. Working with UKactive, the LGA has produced a briefing note for councils and operators with information, good practice and examples of practical support to help ensure service continuity and avoid failure/closure of leisure services during the cost of living and energy crisis.
Separately, in response to the impact of higher energy costs on public leisure provision, Sport England is providing up to £5,000 in consultancy support to help councils assess their utilities position, identify risks and support the retention of leisure services. Alongside this, they have published a support guide identifying several areas for local authorities to consider, including information on the energy market, managing finances and reviewing your current contract position.
Learning and development
Government Commercial College – learning and development modules on markets, sourcing and suppliers
Following a successful pilot, the Cabinet Office has developed a series of 'deep dives', 'knowledge drops' and training modules.
Training sessions on the following subjects will run on various dates:
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Risk allocation and pricing approaches (first session Monday 9 January, 9.30am)
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The Sourcing Playbook (first session Wednesday 11 January, 10.00am)
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The Construction Playbook (first session Monday 16 January, 9.30am)
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Delivery model assessment (first session Monday 16 January, 9.15am)
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Model Services Contract (MSC) (first session Tuesday 17 January, 11.00am)
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Assessing economic and financial standing of suppliers (EFS) (first session Wednesday 18 January, 10.00am)
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Market health assessment (MHA) (first session Thursday 19 January, 10.00am)
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The Digital, Data and Technology Playbook (first session Thursday 19 January, 9.30am)
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Corporate financial distress (CFD) (first session Thursday 26 January, 10.00am)
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Key performance indicators (KPIs) (first session Monday 30 January, 9.30am)
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Short form contracts (first session Tuesday 31 January, 11.00am).
There is also an accompanying sourcing policy training brochure which gives a more in-depth overview of the Cabinet Office's free support offer which includes training sessions, such as those listed above, as well as e-learning modules (accessible to all) at Government Commercial College. To request a PDF copy of this brochure please email markets-sourcing-suppliers@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Sales, Marketing and Procurement Route Review – procurement pathway webinar
Thursday 12 January, 10.30am–12.00pm | Online
Cabinet Office 'Transforming Public Procurement' update
Friday 13 January, 10.30am–11.30am | Online
Greenhouse gas accounting – including a focus on waste (LGA webinar)
Tuesday 17 January, 10.00am–11.30am | Zoom
Cabinet Office 'Transforming Public Procurement' update
Wednesday 18 January, 2.00pm–3.00pm | Online
Cabinet Office 'Transforming Public Procurement' update
Monday 23 January, 2.30pm–3.30pm | Online
Decarbonising transport (LGA webinar)
Tuesday 24 January 2023, 10.00am–11.30am | Zoom
LGA National Construction Conference (London)
Thursday 2 February 2023, 9.15am–3.30pm | 18 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ
LGA National Construction Conference (Leeds)
Tuesday 7 March 2023, 9.15am–3.30pm | Horizon Leeds, 2 Brewery Wharf, Kendall Street, Leeds LS10 1JR
Procurement Reform Conference (London)
Wednesday 1 March 2023, 8.30am–4.00pm | Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London SW1P 3EE
Procurement Reform Conference (Manchester)
Tuesday 14 March 2023, 8.30am–4.00pm | Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland Street, Manchester M1 4PH
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:
first magazine
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