|
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.
Transforming public procurement: The Procurement Act Expo
A free event dedicated to the Procurement Act has been organised to take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 12 March 2024. The Procurement Act Expo will feature sessions and workshops led by members of the Cabinet Office Transforming Public Procurement programme as well as representatives from other organisations, providing a blend of knowledge sharing and hands-on practical guidance aimed at those directly involved in the procurement process.
The Expo is in addition to the ever growing suite of learning and development materials, explainer animations and guidance, aimed to prepare you the new procedures of the new Procurement Act. You can also watch a recording of the recent Cabinet Office webinar.
And lastly, a gentle reminder to encourage anyone who hasn’t already signed up for the Government Commercial College portal to do so now, in order that they can access the TPP e-learning modules when they come out next year.
It’s important that all domain names are pre-registered to ensure a smooth log on when the e-learning is launched.
And whilst you’re there, you can access some of the other courses that are available free of charge, for example contract management foundation, cyber security in the supply chain, various courses relating to the Playbooks all found in the course catalogue.
Volunteers
We are expecting the ten one-hour modules to be completed and ready next year. There is still a way to go before these are ready and Cabinet Office are looking for volunteer testers, we’ve had a great response so far but if there are anymore of you out there willing to help please email us at procurement@local.gov.uk.
Spotlight on Newport City Council’s journey to decarbonising procurement
Newport City Council has embarked on a programme of work to identify the carbon emissions stemming from procurement practices within the council and with local suppliers. This case study highlights the importance of empowering organisations and enhancing supplier engagement in the transition to sustainability.
Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool Suite
The Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool provides a straightforward and consistent approach for councils seeking to calculate their own carbon baseline. Featured alongside the tool is a Waste Emissions Calculator to assist with carbon footprinting.
You can download both free tools to help your council to measure emissions. If you have any questions or suggestions for improvement in relation to the tool and/or the calculator, please contact ghgaccounting@localpartnerships.gov.uk.
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete - latest
A further 17 schools have been identified as being built using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). The total identified as containing the unsafe concrete has increased to 231 in England.
Just a reminder that Crown Commercial Service has an Offsite Construction Solutions framework and affected parties can speak to their regional National Association of Construction Frameworks (NACF) member for advice. NEPO has published information on NEPO suppliers offering support to those affected by RAAC. ESPO and YPO also have information and frameworks on temporary buildings, mobile classrooms as well as inspection and survey services.
Guidance for education settings impacted by RAAC is available and there is an education hub containing a full Q&A on RAAC.
Funding to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England improve their energy efficiency – reminder
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport launched a £25.5 million funding package to help voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in England improve their energy efficiency.
Eligible organisations will be able to apply for an independent energy assessment and capital grants to install energy efficiency measures.
To apply for the second element, organisations not owning their premises will need to ask for their landlords’ permission. As many VCSE organisations lease their premises from councils, councils are encouraged to support their tenants in applying. Councils are encouraged to share this scheme with VCSE organisations in their area.
LGA housing retrofit and decarbonisation virtual event
18 January 2024, 10.00am - 11.30am | Virtual Event
The Procurement Act Expo
12 March 2024 | In-person conference
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.
|
