Forthcoming Event
Newswire – CABE: A crisis looms. With less money and too much carbon, we need more people, with the right skills to manage the landscape of our towns and cities. Many green elements are already in place, but (like roads) their value lies in being networked.
What is needed is a well-maintained & well-connected system of parks, gardens, waterways, allotments and tree-lined streets. This green infrastructure is a powerful weapon in the fight for stronger communities, healthier lives and a sustainable future.
CABE will launch Grey to green on 11 November 2009: a public debate to shift funding & skills from grey to green infrastructure.
Newswswire – IDeA: At a high profile seminar for government communication leaders, last week, Campbell Robb - Director General of the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) - chaired a session on the value of working with the third sector and why we should ‘think outcomes, think third sector’.
Reflecting on the increasing significance of the third sector as an economic & social force in the UK, attracting some £12bn of funding from Government sources in 2006-07, the speakers made a strong case for working with the sector.
Campbell Robb explained that the Government’s National Programme for Third Sector Commissioning has been promoting intelligent commissioning since 2007. It is helping improve the practice of around 3,000 public sector commissioners & procurement officers to ensure they get the best out of working with the third sector.
Last week, the second phase of the National programme went live. IDeA – the improvement & development agency for local government - is heading a new partnership of leading public & third sector agencies who will deliver training & support to commissioners, councillors and third sector leaders.
The programme runs until March 2011 and full details & bookings are available online or by contacting Cheryl Flack at IDeA on 020 7296 6199.
Press release ~ IDeA: National Programme for Third Sector Commissioning ~ Office of the Third Sector (OTS) ~ National Survey of Third Sector Organisations ~ Building the Capacity of the Third Sector ~ National Council of Voluntary Organisations
OGC: The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has launched a campaign aimed at improving the way the public sector manages 'grey' fleet - employee-owned vehicles used for work related journeys. The campaign aims to raise the profile of the issues & opportunities presented by managing grey fleet, as well as helping organisations & employees adopt safer, more cost effective and sustainable forms of travel.
The OGC will be showcasing its best practice toolkits and online support at the first ever national conference on managing grey fleet in the public sector on 25 November 2009 and during a series of regional road shows and sector specific workshops.
It has also published 2 new information pamphlets to further raise the awareness of the support available:
The OGC is looking to increase the number of public sector organisations engaging with its Grey Fleet improvement programme and online community. Evidence suggests grey fleet makes up around 57% of total road mileage used by the public sector. It is estimated that reducing grey fleet mileage by 1,000,000 miles could unlock an estimated £250,000 in cash savings and reduce CO2 emissions by over 240 tonnes.
