Telling it how it is... http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/index.html Having already gotten local authorities publishing transactions over £500 in the name of transparency, it seems that the use of the Government Procurement Card (GPC) - suitably misnamed as a credit card is now stirring up passions. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/more-coalition-trivia.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/more-coalition-trivia.html Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000 It even made Radio 4 this morning, the publication of a Public Accounts Committee report on managing high value capital procurement in the NHS in England http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/nhs-procurement.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/nhs-procurement.html Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000 Getting More for Less by Jamie Bartlett was launched at a recent Demos event. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/starting-the-savings-debate.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/starting-the-savings-debate.html Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0000 Communities and Local Government (CLG) clearly does have an uncanny knack of making itself a laughing stock when it makes any utterance about procurement. Whether this is the fault of its civil servants or headline seeking politicians is a moot point! http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/when-opera-turns-to-farce.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/when-opera-turns-to-farce.html Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000 For those of you that have not been following the progression of the global financial meltdown over the last six months, http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/plan-today-save-tomorrow.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/plan-today-save-tomorrow.html Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000 Good news coming my way is that OGC is setting up a special unit dedicated to promoting e-Auctions across the UK public sector. Some of the recent e- http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/where-there-s-a-will-there-s-a-way.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/where-there-s-a-will-there-s-a-way.html Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000 As many readers will know the National School of Government - the former Civil Service College, closes in March next year. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/closing-the-national-school-of-government.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/closing-the-national-school-of-government.html Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000 The tsunami of expenditure reductions, often reaching over 20% of current budgets is rapidly approaching. Levels such as this cannot be met by statistical contortions and a healthy dose of smoke and mirrors http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-tide-is-turning.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-tide-is-turning.html Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Not another media inspired crunch in the making I hear you say. No, this is about one of the many chunks of fall out that is likely to accompany the crunch that has covered every newspaper and TV report in recent weeks. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/beware-the-global-purchasing-crunch.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/beware-the-global-purchasing-crunch.html Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 +0000 No, you haven't read that incorrectly. This is in relation to the article produced in this month's Supply Management regarding the £800m saving attributed to central government as a result of contract renegotiation. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/learning-from-uk-central-government.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/learning-from-uk-central-government.html Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000 It is election time in case you had not noticed and an ideal time to check out what the great thinkers in the world of UK politics are planning to do on procurement http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/moving-into-number-10.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/moving-into-number-10.html Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000 After all the waiting, manoeuvring and back stabbing (surely not I hear you ask), the UK now has a new Government! http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/making-fudge-at-number-10.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/making-fudge-at-number-10.html Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000 An interesting article can be found on The New Statesman rolling blog http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-staggers/2011/12/public-services-outsourcing concerning outsourcing in local government. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/squaring-the-circle-on-outsourcing.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/squaring-the-circle-on-outsourcing.html Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000 The Audit commision has just produced a paper called Well Disposed - get Ken's views here http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-audit-commission-and-the--i--word.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-audit-commission-and-the--i--word.html Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Rochdale terminate their 15 year outsourcing contract with Mouchel after just 5 years http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/rochdale-and-the-dangers-of-outsourcing-.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/rochdale-and-the-dangers-of-outsourcing-.html Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000 The specialist press is already getting excited by the two recent judgements in Risk Management Partners Limited v Brent London Borough Council. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/hats-off-to-laml.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/hats-off-to-laml.html Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Last week saw the publication of a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) on the alleged deficiencies.. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/contract-management-another-area-for-improvement.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/contract-management-another-area-for-improvement.html Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000 It is finally in the public domain, the Roots Review of English local government procurement http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/realism-on-roots.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/realism-on-roots.html Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000 Yesterday was one of the largest, if not the largest, public sector e-auction ever held http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-art-of-the-possible.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-art-of-the-possible.html Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000 Hardly a week goes by without an announcement about the letting of another framework in the name of efficiency. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/framework-contracts-a-false-science-in-the-making.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/framework-contracts-a-false-science-in-the-making.html Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Baron Sugar (or Sir Alan before his elevation) is certainly not everyone's cup of tea! However, one thing that most people will agree on is that he does understand business and how to create wealth. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/three-cheers-for-baron-sugar.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/three-cheers-for-baron-sugar.html Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000 The BBC News service were very quick to refer to leaked government documents that suggest the Coalition has decided the "wholesale outsourcing" of public services to the private sector would be politically "unpalatable". http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/to-outsource-or-not--that-is-the-question.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/to-outsource-or-not--that-is-the-question.html Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000 Problems are usually not far away when politicians devote their energies to formulating procurement policy http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/politicians-and-procurement-don-t-mix.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/politicians-and-procurement-don-t-mix.html Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000 This is the new slogan I used on the recent white paper - Having it All - which is starting to resonate across the UK public sector. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/keep-calm-and-save-money.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/keep-calm-and-save-money.html Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 The outcome of the LAML Appeal is now know and can be downloaded here. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/high-court-judgement-goes-against-laml.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/high-court-judgement-goes-against-laml.html Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000 The new Coalition Government has made a laudable start in trying to balance the books of UK plc. Procurement has already started to feature with. Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Local Government saying recently http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/just-who-is-briefing-the-minister.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/just-who-is-briefing-the-minister.html Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Why exactly did you get involved in procurement? Putting aside those who couldn't find anything better to do with themselves you would hope that things like deal management, value for money... http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/for-savings-and-not-social-engineering.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/for-savings-and-not-social-engineering.html Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000 Over the years, I have often been staggered by quite incredible things done in the name of good procurement -like trying to get small service companies to take out performance bonds. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/accounts-fallacy-exposed-yet-again.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/accounts-fallacy-exposed-yet-again.html Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000 The Public Accounts Committee recently alerted Minister the the fact that local authorities could be in danger of facing another Southern Cross debacle and having to implement last minute contingency plans. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/avoiding-another-southern-cross.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/avoiding-another-southern-cross.html Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0000 It is not out yet, but we all await with interest the publication next week of Sir Philip Green?s report on government procurement. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/rayner--gershon--green-the-procurement-studies-mount-up.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/rayner--gershon--green-the-procurement-studies-mount-up.html Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000 "The UK government today revealed it is creating a central Efficiency and Reform Group that will have "Draconian" control over government spending", so reads a recent e-publication from Supply Management http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/where-is-my-pea-shooter.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/where-is-my-pea-shooter.html Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000 London local government has pioneered some excellent collaborativecategory programmes in the last year - these included commercial fleet, postal services, ICT and highways management http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/highways-collaboration---as-it-should-be-.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/highways-collaboration---as-it-should-be-.html Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000 An old boss of mine at the Home Office once remarked that people will always choose to repeat mistakes that others have made http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/does-repeating-mistakes-come-with-the-job.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/does-repeating-mistakes-come-with-the-job.html Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000 It is very rare for a week to go by without a report of yet another IT disaster that has occured or is about to occur. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/what-is-it-about-it.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/what-is-it-about-it.html Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 +0000 An interesting piece in a newspaper yesterday about 'Mey Selections' the common brand name........ http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/getting-smarter-in-the-savings-arena.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/getting-smarter-in-the-savings-arena.html Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Well how about it? I have ploughed my way through the 104 pages that make up the Spending Review 2010. Civil Service drafting capability is still first class, with lots of weasel words and meaningless statements. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/sr-2010-paper-tiger.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/sr-2010-paper-tiger.html Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000 In the public sector the search for cash savings and other efficiency gains marches relentlessly on. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/building-your-own-cost-increases.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/building-your-own-cost-increases.html Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Many public sector bodies have worked out how they can overcome their 2011/12 budget deficit. After that some are looking for a combination of good luck http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/away-from--the-p45-solution.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/away-from--the-p45-solution.html Sun, 23 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000 Few people doubt that small/medium businesses are indeed the powerhouse of th UK economy and over 65% of the UK population work for one. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/making-sense-to-small-businesses.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/making-sense-to-small-businesses.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Over the years I have found that there is one question that can make a Purchasing Director / Manager feel quite uneasy. No, it is not the one about how much have you saved http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/expanding-the-sphere-of-influence.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/expanding-the-sphere-of-influence.html Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Management Today's March 2011 editorial is a must. Entitled 'Up the creek without a paddle', it lambasts the lunacy of the approach being adopted by the Government in reducing public expenditure. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/incisive-editorial-in-management-today.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/incisive-editorial-in-management-today.html Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0000 A comment on Public Sector organisation - or perhaps disorganisation http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-truthful-maxim.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-truthful-maxim.html Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Hot off the presses today two new and one re-published documents regarding SRD in the public sector. Download them from the Guidance, Policy and Practice section of the knowledge store. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/srd---a-new-dawn-for-the-public-sector-.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/srd---a-new-dawn-for-the-public-sector-.html Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000 Things are moving very rapidly in the world of public sector procurement. There is now urgency in many places to make things happen quickly and for procurement teams to look at producing double digit cashable savings rather than the silly 2% and 3% requested of them in recent years. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/blogging-and-tweeting-what-next.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/blogging-and-tweeting-what-next.html Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000 According to Francis Maude the government has exceeded its £800M target for renegotiating central government contracts http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/more-questions-than-answers.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/more-questions-than-answers.html Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Today sees the launch of the Keep Calm and Save Money campaign backed by Ken Cole's new white paper "Having It All". The white paper is specifically aimed at English local authorities that want to improve services, reduce council taxes and balance their budgets http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/having-it-all.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/having-it-all.html Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 2011 promises to be a challenging year for us all not only because of the financial cutbacks that will really hit post April 2011, but also because the Coalition lacks experience on what it needs to preserve and what could be axed http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/will-the-public-sector-ever-learn.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/will-the-public-sector-ever-learn.html Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000 OGC: buyers not adding value reads the heading on page 7 of the latest issue of Supply Management magazine. At a recent conference on Energy, Nigel Smith, OGC CEO, is reported to have cited .......... http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/raising-the-energy-stakes.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/raising-the-energy-stakes.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000 Ken Cole will be speaking at the UK SME Public Procurement Conference on 15th September 2011 in Central London. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/uk-sme-public-procurement-conference.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/uk-sme-public-procurement-conference.html Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000 At a time when the news is dominated by the spectre of major reductions in UK public sector spending and the resultant impact this will have on the private sector, it is nice to see a new industry forming http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-start-of-a-new-industry.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/the-start-of-a-new-industry.html Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000 Nearly 17 years ago, as a civil servant, I sat in a meeting with the Principal Finance Officer to be told that the £500k for my IT project had been suspended by the Treasury http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/is-pfi---p.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/is-pfi---p.html Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000 Cloud Computing - is it good, bad or unsecure or indeed all three. Read Ken's take on it here. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Public procurement officials clearly are not in favour as far the PM is concerned. At a recent Tory conference he stated that they "think that the answer to everything is a big contract http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/david-cameron-creates-a-procurement-hullabaloo.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/david-cameron-creates-a-procurement-hullabaloo.html Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0000 The last few years has seen a huge growth in the sustainability agenda. Conferences and summits compete for delegates and policy documents are being published at almost exponential rate. http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/making-sustainability-mainstream-2.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/making-sustainability-mainstream-2.html Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000 The Times recently ran a story entitled "big contractors squeeze out the little man" (6th February 2010, page 58). It was about construction http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/playing-the-pre-qualification-game.html http://www.sps-consultancy.co.uk/blog/playing-the-pre-qualification-game.html Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000