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Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)
The Government has issued a list of education settings with confirmed RAAC and mitigations in place as of 14 September 2023. Officials have said they are checking hundreds of schools every week and, as of 14 September, 174 schools in England were known to be affected.
ESPO has published information on temporary buildings such as mobile classrooms and temporary accommodation in its ESPO Modular Buildings 953 framework. The ESPO Property Advice and Management 2664 framework covers inspection and survey services including asbestos surveying.
YPO has also published information on temporary buildings such as mobile classrooms and temporary accommodation in its YPO Modular Buildings 1004 framework. The YPO Building Envelope Services 880 framework covers inspection and survey services including asbestos surveying.
Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers (NAFP) briefing for partners
The Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers has published a summary of activity and messages from NAFP members, aimed primarily at local authority commissioning colleagues and strategic partners, featuring information on key messages from NAFP meetings over the summer, referrals and placement procedures, and procurement and contracting activity.
Care home bosses demand pay rise for staff
Care home bosses are recommending that the next government funds a £15-per-hour minimum wage for frontline staff to stabilise the crisis-hit sector and boost a system that is “in an extremely precarious state”. There are currently over 152,000 vacant posts, 430,000 people are on care waiting lists, and scores of facilities in the care system are rated as 'inadequate'.
Consultation on improving integrated commissioning in health and social care
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has launched an open call for evidence on improving integrated commissioning in health and social care, related to changes to Section 75 of the NHS Act (2006), to increase the use of pooled budgets to support the integration of health and care. The consultation is seeking views on whether the scope of Section 75 should be widened to include additional health-related functions of councils and NHS bodies and widening the range of organisations that can enter into these arrangements. Councils are encouraged to respond and share the call for evidence – the consultation will close on Tuesday 31 October.
Homes England launches Housing Information Hub
Homes England has launched its new Housing Information Hub – supporting the sector with guidance, information and tools relating to homebuilding, placemaking and regeneration. The hub is one of a series of new initiatives – designed in collaboration with local authorities – to respond to the needs, and asks, of the sector.
Procurement Policy Note PPN09/23 – Updates to the Cyber Essentials Scheme
This PPN provides an update to PPN 09/14 and sets out the actions that in-scope organisations should take to identify and mitigate cyber threats for certain types of contracts, along with resources to support implementation.
To ensure that appropriate cyber security controls are in place and to reduce cyber security risks in supply chains, since 2014, the Government has required suppliers bidding for certain types of public contracts to hold Cyber Essentials or Cyber Essentials Plus certification (or demonstrate that equivalent controls are in place). Cyber Essentials is a Government-backed scheme to help businesses of any size to protect themselves against a range of the most common cyber attacks and to demonstrate their commitment to cyber security.
Please note: this is only advisory for local authorities and member organisations.
Microsoft DTA21 memorandum of understanding (MOU) – feedback and renewal
Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has begun discussions with Microsoft for the replacement of the existing Microsoft DTA21 MOU. CCS would appreciate your organisation's feedback via its short Microsoft DTA21 survey. Please complete it yourself or pass it on to the team / person responsible for managing your Microsoft estate. The deadline for responses is Monday 25 September.
On a related note, our Cyber, Digital and Technology (CDT) team is holding discussions with CCS regarding local government engagement in the Microsoft DTA21 MOU process to ensure that councils are shaping negotiation priorities. Please complete our Local government input to Microsoft DTA21 MOU form If you would like to be kept informed about this work.
National Cyber Security Centre objectives of principles-based assurance
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is developing 'principles-based assurance' for technology products that Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is considering in relation to its frameworks.
NCSC representatives will be presenting at our Cyber, Digital and Technology policy group meeting on Thursday 28 September. If you would like to attend or are keen to learn more about all things cyber then please email our Cyber, Digital and Technology team at cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
Cyber Unpacked
Cyber Unpacked is the first module of Unpacking Digitalisation – a series of short explainer videos developed by the LGA on cyber security topics, created specifically to support officers and councillors who are digital newcomers. The videos aim to improve understanding of cyber risk and aid decision-making in the long term.
The video series is supplemented by our Embedding cyber security into local government supply chains resources, including our Foundations of cyber resilience in local government supply chains e-learning course which nearly 500 of you have completed.
Building the future – revolutionising housing with offsite construction (Crown Commercial Service webinar)
Wednesday 27 September, 10.00am–12.00pm | Virtual
Procurement Reform roadshows (Newcastle, Birmingham, Norwich, Bristol, Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham)
Tuesday 3 October–21 November | Various locations
G-Cloud 13 – what can I buy and how can I buy it? (Crown Commercial Service webinar)
Wednesday 4 October, 10.30am–11.30am | Virtual
Modern slavery risk assessment and due diligence guidelines for adult social care (LGA virtual event)
Tuesday 31 October, 10.30am–12.00pm | Virtual
Procurex Cymru / Wales
Wednesday 8 November | Utilita Arena, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff CF10 2EQ
iNetwork Annual Conference
Thursday 30 November | Hyatt Regency Manchester, 55 Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PQ and virtual
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