Useful links
National Web-links
4ps (The Performance Partnership)
Comprehensive procurement support to local authorities, including hands-on project support., Gateway reviews, skills development and “know-how” procurement guidance in the form of procurement packs, case studies and extranets.
Audit Commission
Responsible for CPA and external audit of local authorities. Review annual efficiency statements.
Cabinet Office: Chief Information Officer Council
Set up by the Prime Minister to ensure that IT supports the business transformation of the Government itself "so that we can provide better, more efficient, public services"
Centre for Construction Innovation (CCI)
The CCI supports the Contruction Change Agenda throughout the North West and acts as a hub of knowledge working with other agencies to deliver knowledge skills and services to all members of the construction supply chain.
Centre for Public Services
The Centre is an independent, non-profit organisation, committed to the provision of good quality public services by democratically accountable public bodies implementing best practice management, employment and equal opportunities policies.
Centre for Procurement Performance
Unit set up by the DfES to identify and encourage the adoption of better procurement deals and to assist in delivering savings opportunities .
CIPFA
Professional accountancy body specialising in public services, provides a range of high quality advisory, information, training and consultancy services to local authority practitioners.
Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
An international education and qualification body representing purchasing and supply chain professionals. CIPS acts as a centre of excellence to improve professional standards and to raise awareness of purchasers contribution to corporate prosperity.
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Responsible for government policy on housing, planning, regional and local government and the fire service.
Department for Communities and Local Government - Social Housing
This area of the site contains the Social Housing Efficiency Technical Note, a Frequently Asked Questions section and factsheets
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Aim to improve current and future quality of life by bringing together the interests farmers and the countryside; the environment; the rural economy; the food we eat; the air we breathe and the water we drink.
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)
Responsible for government policy on housing, planning, regional and local government and the fire service.
Employers Organisation (EO)
One of the main routes to enhancing efficiency and improving service lies in effective people management. The EO and Regional Employers’ Organisations (REOs) provide a range of advice and support to assist authorities in achieving efficiency gains.
Esd-toolkit
Annual efficiency statements (AES) must be submitted online using the electronic template available through this toolkit. The toolkit is a resource that is owned and managed by local government with support from the IDeA.
Government Connect
'An initaitive led by local authorities, DCLG and the e-Government Unit. It rings together a range of technical solutions and practical advice to improve e-Government service delivery'
Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA )
Works to improve the quality of leadership; strengthen corporate capacity; improve service delivery in the areas of education, children’s and adult social care services; and help councils build sustainable communities.
Improvement Network (Audit Commission, CIPFA, IDEA Leadership Centre for Local Govt)
Improvement advice to councils as well as a new set of management tookits designed to assist in the improvement process
Improvement Quality Network (IQN)
CIPFA's Improvement and Quality Network (IGN) helps local authorities keep track of developments in local government. This is a subscription service.
Innovation Forum (IDeA)
Made up of local authorities assessed as "Excellent" under the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) regime. The Forum promotes dialogue between central and local government on new ways of delivering better services.
Info4local.gov.uk
info4local provides local authorities with quick and easy access to information from more than 65 government departments, agencies and public bodies.
The Leadership Academy (IDEA)
The Leadership Academy is a place where leaders of LA's and those in leadership positions, can learn the latest thinking in political leadership "from some of the best people in the business."
Local e-gov
Essential information for local authorities about local e-Government programme
Local Government Association (LGA)
LGA represents local authorities in England and Wales and exists to promote better local government. The LGA website contains its own efficiency section please click here for more information.
Local Government Task Force
Part of the wider Constructing Excellence organisation aiming to achieve a step change in construction productivity by tackling market failures in the sector and selling the business case for continuous improvement. The LGTF acts as a bridgehead between the local government and construction communities.
National e-Procurement Project (NePP)
NePP aims to enable authorities to take full advantage of e-procurement and to raise the profile of procurement in line with the Byatt Report.
The National Projects
Pulls together the experience of councils, central government, the private sector and others to deliver key local e-government priority services. See, in particular the Product Catalogue.
National Audit Office
A toolkit providing practical guidance on assessing an organisations current approach to Efficiency
Office of Government Commerce (OGC)
Works with government to improve procurement and project and programme management and with suppliers to make the government marketplace more efficient and attractive to business.
Performance Management and Measurement of Information Project (PMMI) (IDEA)
Part of the strategic collabortaion between the IDeA and the Audit Commission and is designed to bring performance management together in a constant way.
Productshare
ProductShare enables users to find and download over 1000 outcomes from the National Projects and Partnerships, including how-to guides, case studies and lessons learned.
Project Nomad
Sponsored by ODPM. Dedicated to establishing mobile computing in local authorities.
Public Sector Forums - "Forum for e-government practitioners in local and central government"
Recycling Action Yorkshire (RAY)
RAY will work in partnership with national and regional stakeholders to stimulate the market for recycled materials throughout the recycling chain from collection and reprocessing, to manufacture and sustainable procurement.
Smart Governance Network
Stimulate ideas, encourage and support experience sharing and to challenge existing ways of working.
Society of Information Technology Management (SOCITM)
The professional association for ICT managers working in and for the public sector. Members are drawn primarily from local authorities but also from the police and fire services, housing authorities and other locally delivered public service. The Society is a significant provider of advice and guidance on ICT and e-government to local authorities.
Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government (SOPO)
SOPO engages in a range of activities to promote its strategic purchasing, contracting and supplies functions. Representing over 1800 members, SOPO provides area networks and forums and produces guidance on best practice.
Sustainable Development
Government's sustainable development website, providing guidance and thought provoking ideas on how to pursue a more sustainable path.
Take up Campaign
A national e-government campaign designed to encourage take-up by the public of council e-services
TALKnet
DCLG has funded Leeds City Council to host a site for sharing information across Local Government
Waste Information Network (WIN)
The South East Centre of Excellence site for Waste Information developed by local authorities for local authorities and provide up to date informqation on waste management.
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
Aim to accelerate resource efficiency bt creating efficient markets for recycled products whilst removing barriers to waste minimisation, re-ues and recycling
Regional Web-Links
Local Government Management Board for Yorkshire and Humberside