Wednesday 25 March 2015

News Summary of Collaboration and Shared Services from 25th March 2015



Two very short videos, for you to glance at this week. If you haven’t seen this Game of Thrones spoof by a group of councils complaining about the impact of the cuts, then it’s worth a chuckle…

Game of Thrones spoof shames ‘unfair’ council funding

Councils are warning that ‘winter is coming’ for budget cuts in a new Game of Thrones parody unveiled by England’s cities. Watch the video >>>

This video is in a different league. It is published by CIVICA to publicise a new report it has sponsored on the future shape of councils. However, it re-enforces the message that change in local government is on its way, and really fast…

The Changing Landscape For Local Government

This is a two minute video summary of the direction of local government as it talks about merger and partnership as key to future delivery. Watch the video >>>

This is the final news update before Easter, so from all in the SSA team, have a happy Easter! And here is the rest of the week’s collaboration and shared service news and jobs…

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Highway Code Update on shared service VAT tax exemption

In the Highway Code of Shared Services, we cover the VAT tax emption for shared service working. It created a situation in the last couple of years where private sector providers were barred from joining the VAT exempt shared service groups. Apparently the treasury removed that barrier in last week’s budget…


VAT Relief on Outsourcing and Shared Services Opens Industry for Further Growth

In the 2015 Budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne removed VAT charges for private sector bidders on many public contracts. Read more >>>

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Local Government

Council set to split Hoople in two

Hoople, the joint venture company set up to save Herefordshire Council millions spent on support services, seems certain to be split in two. Read more >>>

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Social Services

Social Services in Scotland : A Shared Vision and Strategy 2015-2020

Key stakeholders working in social services have jointly developed a Vision and Strategy for Social Services in Scotland which was launched on 17 March 2015 - World Social Work Day. Read more >>>

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Health

Pioneering Northumberland health care scheme is opened in Haltwhistle

A pioneering £4.6million health scheme has been officially opened by the Duchess of Northumberland. Read more >>>

“Hidden army” of skilled pharmacists could solve GP pressure

Pharmacists’ wealth of training should be used to treat patients at GP practices to ease pressure off a system under growing pressure, say leading health professionals. Read more >>>

Flying doctors scheme will transport NHS medics by helicopter to emergencies across Wales

Welsh consultants will soon travel to the scene of emergencies in the world’s most advanced medical vehicles following the official launch of a new “flying doctors” scheme. Read more >>>






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Friday 13 March 2015

News Summary of Collaboration and Shared Services from 11th March2015



So who are you likely to be working for in 2017, whether you want to or not?

Whether you are in local government, police, fire, health, FE, HE, and any other local delivery services, there is a good likelihood that by 2017 you could be working for a combined authority and the name on your pay cheque will have changed. 40 of them have been named in the Local Government Chronicle this week. If you are not up to speed on Combined Authorities then start your reading here, with this quick summary…

House Of Commons Library Summary Of Combined Authority Progress
Combined authorities may be set up by two or more local authorities. The combined authority must include all local authorities in its area: it cannot include, for instance, part of a county council area. They may take on transport and economic development functions. They have a power of general competence. 
Read more>>>
My colleague, Manny Gatt, and I have spent the last three weeks interviewing senior local government, LEP, Health and FE/HE leaders in the Manchester, Leeds and Bristol areas about the devolution/localism activity in those areas. It is part of a major research project for the skills sector.

A key thing we learned is that hundreds of knowledgeable and skilled collaboration project leads (SSA™ & SS(PRAC)™ skilled people) will be required to build the trust and relationships between the partners to make it work.
If you are an SSA™ or SS(PRAC)™  and your current post looks a bit rocky and you are wondering where to go next, then start reading up on combined authorities for your area. This article will help to understand the importance that these authorities will have…

North East needs to prove it can benefit from devolved power, Cities Minister warns

The North East needs to show it can work as a unit if it is to enjoy the same autonomy as the likes of Manchester, a top Tory MP has warned. Read more >>>

Here is the rest of this week’s news and jobs…
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Local Government

Scots councils ‘face unprecedented financial challenge’

Unprecedented pressures lie ahead for Scottish local government finances, and councils need effective long-term plans to prepare for them, the Accounts Commission for Scotland warns today in its annual overview of the sector. Read more >>>

Councils unite to tackle empty homes in Dundee and Angus

Angus and Dundee City councils are planning to team up in a bid to tackle the problem of empty homes. Read more >>>

Hart District Council Consultation Document

Hart District Council is consulting on a proposal to change the way services are delivered locally. Read more >>>

Adoption in Berkshire: Four councils join to help children find forever homes

Four councils have joined together to provide adoption services for children seeking forever homes and for families looking to adopt. Read more >>>

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FE/HE

Falmouth University’s shared services scheme awarded HEFCE grant

Higher education institutions are to be encouraged to emulate a university that has privatised its entire academic support staff. Read more >>>

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Health
NHS England reveals £200m 'vanguard' areas trialling NHS integration
The scheme could see radical redesign of the clinical workforce in parts of the country, the development of new contractual models and changes to the procurement of NHS services. The announcement of 29 sites that will trial new care models marks the first major step in implementing NHS England’s Five Year Forward View vision for the health service. Read more>>>

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Shared ICT Services

KPMG IT Outsourcing Service Provider Performance & Satisfaction Study 2014-15

The KPMG IT Outsourcing Service Provider Performance and Satisfaction Study (SPPS) 2014/15 is the first to be global in scope, covering around 2,100 IT contracts from 24 countries, with an estimated annual contract value of US$12bn+. Read more >>>

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An event you may be interested in

Speech by Sir Amyas Morse, the Comptroller and Auditor General - 17 March

Sir Amyas Morse KCB, the Comptroller and Auditor General, will present an exclusive review of the lessons learned from the National Audit Office’s work on public administration over this and the previous Parliament. Read more >>>


So who are you likely to be working for in 2017, whether you want to or not?

Whether you are in local government, police, fire, health, FE, HE, and any other local delivery services, there is a good likelihood that by 2017 you could be working for a combined authority and the name on your pay cheque will have changed. 40 of them have been named in the Local Government Chronicle this week. If you are not up to speed on Combined Authorities then start your reading here, with this quick summary…

House Of Commons Library Summary Of Combined Authority Progress
Combined authorities may be set up by two or more local authorities. The combined authority must include all local authorities in its area: it cannot include, for instance, part of a county council area. They may take on transport and economic development functions. They have a power of general competence. 
Read more>>>
My colleague, Manny Gatt, and I have spent the last three weeks interviewing senior local government, LEP, Health and FE/HE leaders in the Manchester, Leeds and Bristol areas about the devolution/localism activity in those areas. It is part of a major research project for the skills sector.

A key thing we learned is that hundreds of knowledgeable and skilled collaboration project leads (SSA™ & SS(PRAC)™ skilled people) will be required to build the trust and relationships between the partners to make it work.
If you are an SSA™ or SS(PRAC)™  and your current post looks a bit rocky and you are wondering where to go next, then start reading up on combined authorities for your area. This article will help to understand the importance that these authorities will have…

North East needs to prove it can benefit from devolved power, Cities Minister warns

The North East needs to show it can work as a unit if it is to enjoy the same autonomy as the likes of Manchester, a top Tory MP has warned. Read more >>>

Here is the rest of this week’s news and jobs…
************
Local Government

Scots councils ‘face unprecedented financial challenge’

Unprecedented pressures lie ahead for Scottish local government finances, and councils need effective long-term plans to prepare for them, the Accounts Commission for Scotland warns today in its annual overview of the sector. Read more >>>

Councils unite to tackle empty homes in Dundee and Angus

Angus and Dundee City councils are planning to team up in a bid to tackle the problem of empty homes. Read more >>>

Hart District Council Consultation Document

Hart District Council is consulting on a proposal to change the way services are delivered locally. Read more >>>

Adoption in Berkshire: Four councils join to help children find forever homes

Four councils have joined together to provide adoption services for children seeking forever homes and for families looking to adopt. Read more >>>

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FE/HE

Falmouth University’s shared services scheme awarded HEFCE grant

Higher education institutions are to be encouraged to emulate a university that has privatised its entire academic support staff. Read more >>>

************ 
Health
NHS England reveals £200m 'vanguard' areas trialling NHS integration
The scheme could see radical redesign of the clinical workforce in parts of the country, the development of new contractual models and changes to the procurement of NHS services. The announcement of 29 sites that will trial new care models marks the first major step in implementing NHS England’s Five Year Forward View vision for the health service. Read more>>>

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Shared ICT Services

KPMG IT Outsourcing Service Provider Performance & Satisfaction Study 2014-15

The KPMG IT Outsourcing Service Provider Performance and Satisfaction Study (SPPS) 2014/15 is the first to be global in scope, covering around 2,100 IT contracts from 24 countries, with an estimated annual contract value of US$12bn+. Read more >>>

*************
An event you may be interested in

Speech by Sir Amyas Morse, the Comptroller and Auditor General - 17 March

Sir Amyas Morse KCB, the Comptroller and Auditor General, will present an exclusive review of the lessons learned from the National Audit Office’s work on public administration over this and the previous Parliament. Read more >>>





Receive this Shared Service News Summary into your inbox every week. Just register on our website.