|
Feel free to circulate this email to your colleagues and suggest that they sign up to receive it themselves. Create or manage your LGA bulletin subscriptions or read previous editions of this bulletin.
Join the Contract Management Pioneer Programme (CMPP)
Local Partnerships has gone live with the first round of its Contract Management Pioneer Programme (CMPP) which is now fully funded by Crown Commercial Service (CCS). The 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. The programme is open to expressions of interest for a December and January start. If you are keen for your organisation to participate, please email an expression of interest to cmppenquiries@localpartnerships.gov.uk
Transforming public procurement in schools and multi-academy trusts
The Transforming Public Procurement programme will also affect the education sector. All the information schools and multi-academy trusts (MAT’s) need can be found at Transforming Public Procurement, including guidance documents to help with planning and preparation, recent webinars, and details of the learning and development package available. Schools and MAT’s can also contact the Get Help Buying for Schools team.
Changes in procurement legislation for councils and NHS staff (LGA Procurement webinar)
Our Partners in Care and Health team will host a webinar on Wednesday 13 December on Changes in procurement legislation for councils and NHS staff. The webinar will discuss recent changes in procurement and what this means when commissioning support for people with a learning disability and autistic people and will be of interest to learning disability and autistic people sector commissioners and procurement staff. Among the topics will be the new Procurement Act and the NHS Provider Selection Regime.
Cold weather plan: action cards for cold weather alert service and summary posters
Last month the UK Health Security Agency updated the Cold-Health Alert action card for commissioners on how different organisations need to respond in the event of cold weather. The card summarises suggested actions to be taken by different professional bodies and organisations, including a dedicated action card for commissioners.
New supplier support programme available to suppliers across the north east and Tees Valley
The NEPO Supplier Partnership Programme offers a series of events, workshops and support sessions to suppliers based in the north east and Tees Valley area helping them find, bid for and win contract opportunities with the public sector. The next event is a half-day online bid-writing masterclass for suppliers new to, or with limited experience of public sector procurement, and will be held on Tuesday 14 December from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. Please feel free to pass this on to relevant suppliers – it will be of interest to all suppliers, including those outside the north east region.
Recruitment of improvement advisers and commissioners in adult social care
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is now recruiting people to be deployed as improvement advisers in local authorities undergoing periods of enhanced monitoring and support or as commissioners where the Government has intervened to secure improvement. These roles vary in length and time commitment and interviews will take place before 31 March 2024. If you would like to discuss the roles in detail please email ascimprovement@dhsc.gov.uk.
Children’s social care placements costs increase
The LGA has warned of the spiralling costs of providing support for children with the most complex needs. Our survey of councils revealed the number of placements costing more than £10,000 per week has risen from 120 in 2018 to more than 1,500 in the past year, while the proportion of councils taking out at least one of these has increased from 23 per cent to 91 per cent over the same period.
Artificial intelligence skills for business guidance
The Government has published draft guidance to help employers improve their employees’ understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) so they can use it safely in their day-to-day role, by setting out the key knowledge, skills and behaviours they should have. The Government is working closely with the business community and experts to further develop the guidance and draw concrete actions which can be implemented by businesses – ahead of publishing a final version. Councils are encouraged to share this information with businesses in their area.
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
Bid-writing masterclass for those who are new to public sector tendering (NEPO masterclass)
Tuesday 14 December, 1.00pm–5.00pm | Microsoft Teams
Local Government AI Network meeting
Friday 15 December, 11.00am–12.30pm | Virtual meeting
To attend, email grace.perks@local.gov.uk
Changes in procurement legislation for councils and NHS staff (LGA Procurement webinar)
Wednesday 13 December, 10.00am–11.30am | Zoom
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.
|
