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Provider Selection Regime regulations update
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England announced that the Government plans to introduce the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations to Parliament on Thursday 19 October..
The PSR is a new set of bespoke rules which commissioners of healthcare services in the NHS and local government will follow when procuring or otherwise arranging healthcare services in their area. The PSR is designed to give commissioners of healthcare services greater flexibility when selecting providers, including the option to use competitive processes when appropriate.
Subject to parliamentary scrutiny, DHSC intends for the PSR regulations to come into force on 1 January 2024. More information on the PSR will be made available from 19 October to help to health and care systems in the NHS and local government systems plan for change. The current rules on procurement remain in force until such a time as the PSR regulations complete their parliamentary passage and come into force.
A series of implementation webinars will run from late October to December.
This information will be extremely important for all local authorities who commission healthcare services.
Quick guide to Social Value legislation (Social Value Portal resource)
The world of Social Value legislation can be confusing, especially if you are just starting out. Social Value Portal’s new quick guide to Social Value legislation tells you everything you need to know about Social Value legislation, from the 2012 Social Value Act to the upcoming Procurement Bill. Further Social Value updates can be found in Social Value Portal's recent newsletter.
Help for social housing tenants to cut energy bills
The Government has announced that £80 million for home upgrades is to be made available to help social housing tenants cut energy bills through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund which will generate energy bill savings of around £240 a year for some of the lowest-income households. Measures range from installing new wall, loft or underfloor insulation to supporting families to switch to low carbon heating – helping to cut energy bills and supporting around 2,000 jobs. As part of the government’s new approach to reaching net zero, eligible tenants will receive the energy efficiency upgrades free of charge through their social housing provider, via councils or housing associations.
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC)
NEPO is working with contracted suppliers to offer solutions to establishments affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Working alongside the Local Government Association, the Department for Business and Trade, the National Association of Construction Frameworks (NACF) and local authorities, NEPO issued a statement of support to the wider public sector affected by the safety concern.
NEPO has published information on NEPO suppliers offering support to those affected by RAAC including information about the frameworks available to help address the challenges of RAAC.
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.
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund
Round 2.2 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is due to open in November 2023. Wave 2.2 will allocate up to £80 million of grant funding from April 2024. Government expects to provide full guidance in mid-October, but you can start preparing your bid earlier with help from the Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator (SHRA).
Children’s social care placements
To better understand the increasing pressure on budgets due to growing placement costs for children in care, we have this week sent a short survey to Directors of Children’s Services. We would be grateful for as many councils as possible completing this survey to support lobbying ahead of the Autumn Statement. For more information please email james.harman@local.gov.uk
Swimming Pool Support Fund
103 councils have been successful in their applications to the Swimming Pool Support Fund, covering 196 facilities in England. This equates to just under 50 per cent of the applicants that applied for funding and will impact 23.5 million swimmers who currently use those facilities. Thank you to those of you who have already responded, we are keen to hear from more councils who were unsuccessful and what this means for the future of their facilities – please email samantha.ramanah@local.gov.uk with any details.
Procurement Reform roadshows (Newcastle, Birmingham, Norwich, Bristol, Liverpool, Sheffield and Nottingham)
Tuesday 3 October–21 November | Various locations
Modern slavery risk assessment and due diligence guidelines for adult social care – LGA virtual event
Tuesday 31 October, 10.30am–12.00pm | Zoom
Sustainable procurement diagnosis and action planning showcase events – East of England LGA (EEGLA) virtual event
Friday 3 and Tuesday 7 November | Virtual
Procurex Cymru / Wales
Wednesday 8 November | Utilita Arena, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff CF10 2EQ
National Children and Adult Services Conference 2023
Wednesday 29 November–Friday 1 December | Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Roadd, Bournemouth BH2 5BH
iNetwork Annual Conference
Thursday 30 November | Hyatt Regency Manchester, 55 Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PQ and virtual
first is the LGA's membership magazine, distributed to around 16,700 councillors and local authority chief executives in England and Wales. Councillors and officers can sign up for the first e-bulletin using their council email addresses and/or access first online to browse LGA news stories, features, good practice case studies and comment pieces, including those from past issues.
For editorial inquiries, please email karen.thornton@local.gov.uk. For advertising, contact Polena Boutwood, Media Sales Executive, email polena.boutwood@cplone.co.uk, phone 01223 378047.
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