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Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations update
The Government plans to bring the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) into force on 1 January 2024. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) anticipates that the main areas of spend that councils will commission and procure under the PSR rules will be:
- child health services
- sexual and reproductive health services
- substance misuse services.
DHSC recommends that councils familiarise themselves with the draft Provider Selection Regime regulations and draft Provider Selection Regime guidance and sign up to the NHS England's Provider Selection Regime webinars which are designed for NHS and council to attend. For enquiries related to PSR implementation, please email: psr.development@nhs.net
Public procurement thresholds to rise
The threshold for local government goods and services has risen from £213,477 to £214,904 as part of the Public Procurement (Agreement on Government Procurement) (Thresholds) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 and this will come into force on 1 January 2024.
Buying social justice through procurement – equality and diversity toolkit
Buying Social Justice has recently launched an equality and diversity toolkit aimed at helping procurement and equality specialists make the most of the opportunities to include equality objectives in public procurement activities. Find out more in Buying Social Justice's media release.
Children’s care home provider profits
An LGA report on profit-making and risk in independent children’s social
care placement providers reveals that the biggest private providers of children’s homes in England made profits of more than £300 million last year. Council spending on privately run children’s homes in England has more than doubled in six years. In 2021/22, local authorities in England spent £1.5 billion on independently-run residential care for vulnerable children – an 11 per cent increase on the previous year – and up from £736.6 million in 2015/16, representing a 105 per cent increase overall.
National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issues guidance on supply chain security
In a recent update to supply chain security, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provided valuable insights into supply chain security, emphasising its importance of safeguarding organisations against cyber threats. Addressing risks and vulnerabilities, the guidance offers practical measures to protect networks while highlighting the significance of collaboration, resilience, and continuous monitoring. Find out more in our 'Embedding cyber resilience in local government supply chains' online resources and our 'Foundations of cyber resilience in local government supply chains' e-learning course which nearly 500 procurement officers have already taken.
NHS England procurement framework for digital pathways
The NHS has announced its plans to develop a Digital Pathways Framework for procurement to integrate digital technologies in healthcare. The framework aims to enhance patient experience, improve care coordination, and facilitate efficient data sharing among medical professionals. This initiative aims to revolutionise the delivery of healthcare services, making them more accessible, showing the potential of effective digital and data service integration.
Flooding health guidance and advice
With recent adverse weather affecting large parts of the country, please refer to the Government flooding health guidance and advice available to help professionals and the public address potential risk and clean up safely. Please note that YPO is providing local authorities with procurement support on recent rainfall and problems created by flooding.
Sustainable procurement diagnosis and action planning – East of England LGA (EEGLA) showcase events
Friday 3 November, 10.00am–11.00am and Tuesday 7 November, 3.00pm–4.00pm | Online
Procurement Reform Roadshow
Tuesday 7 November | Eastside Rooms, Radisson Blu Hotel, 12 Holloway Circus, Queensway, Birmingham B1 1BT
Cyber insurance cover – an overview (YPO webinar)
Tuesday 7 November, 11.00am–12.00pm | Online
Procurex Cymru / Wales
Wednesday 8 November | Utilita Arena, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff CF10 2EQ
Vertical application solutions (Crown Commercial Service customer webinar)
Tuesday 14 November, 2.00pm–3.30pm | Online
Decarbonising transport (LGA virual event)
Wednesday 22 November,10.00am–11.30am | Zoom
National Children and Adult Services Conference
Wednesday 29 November–Friday 1 December | Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth BH2 5BH
iNetwork Annual Conference
Thursday 30 November | Hyatt Regency Manchester, 55 Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PQ and online
Digitalisation training weekender event for councillors (an LGA 'Leadership Essentials' event)
Saturday 2 December–Sunday 3 December | Crowne Plaza Leeds, Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL
Transforming Public Procurement: how we’re preparing for the new regulations (Crown Commercial Service webinars)
Monday 4 December, 11.00am–12.00pm | Online
Thursday 7 December, 2.30pm–3.30pm | Online
Wednesday 13 December, 10.00am–12.00pm | Online
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 at polena.boutwood@cplone.co.uk or on 01223 378047.
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