Construction and Asset Management Projects

CA088 - Common approach to "Facilities Management"
Consultancy study on current approaches and options for improvement to deliver savings or service improvements. Pilot project to be completed in May 2009 will provide indication of likely mix of Efficiency/Improvement to result from the project

CA089 - Benchmarking project
A benchmarking club with consistent and regular comparison of performance against an agreed selection of the national indicator set in appropriate service areas. An additional range of indicators to provide effectiveness, efficiency, economy and sustainability measures.

CA090 - Best Practice approach to Asset Management
A bespoke "health check" against accepted best Practice service provision relating to Strategic Asset Management with recommendations for areas for improvement for each council in the region. A proposal to implement the key findings or recommendations collaboratively where appropriate

CA091 - Carbon Management Plans
A bespoke Carbon Reduction Strategy for each LA and FRS in the region with specific action plan for implementing physical measures and behaviour change to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs. A plan for collaborative implementation of common aspects of the plans to achieve additional efficiency savings

CA092 - Targetted Recruitment & Training
A consistent regional approach to the inclusion of "social clauses" relating to Targeted Recruitment and Training within the region's construction projects through the routes of Planning Agreements, Land sale conditions and procurement clauses. Benefits will accrue to the public purse rather than specific Local Authority budgets but project will contribute to implementation of well-being powers for the regions LAs and performance against a range of commonly selected performance indicators relating to worklessness. Click here for more information related to this project.

CA093 - Changing the Culture relating to the use of Construction Resources
The project will provide a greater awareness of the implications of more efficient use of materials, labour and plant, aiming to identify ways to incorporate resource efficiency and environmental compliance into construction procurement.

CA094 - Intelligent Client
This project, through a feasibility study, will consider the range and nature of the future regional workload, the capacity to deliver the projects and develop options for new ways of defining and delivering the role of the client. This project will seek the longer term efficiency requirements that are more difficult to achieve and sustain - addressing the issues of underperforming assets and overspends on projects by challenging and re-defining the client's role and requisite areas of expertise.

CA095 - "Framework Agreements" for consultancy and construction works
The project will seek to generate significant efficiency savings through simplified procurement processes. We will initially asses the current and proposed activity within construction and asset management within the region undertaken by LAs and FRSs, and identify existing frameworks and strategic partnering arrangements before making recommendations on options for improved ways of working through Framework Agreements in design, advice and construction activities.

CA096 - Regional "timebank" of Specific Expertise
Identified potential efficiency savings from sharing expertise to overcome skills shortages and requirements for expertise in existing and emerging specialisms. A plan to provide key services in a collaborative way to ensure that the LAs in the region have access to the specialist services required.

CA097 - Promoting Excellence in Design Quality
A scoping study to provide a definition of "excellence" in design as appropriate to the needs of the region taking account of sustainability, efficiency, client satisfaction etc. An assessment of the various other "design excellence" initiatives (BRE, IGNITE, CABE etc) and identification of the simplest and most efficient approach to participation in this agenda

CA098 - Exploit opportunities for involvement in or learning from other initiatives
A service to provide a synopsis of events that are relevant to the interests of the Programme Board through attendance by a nominee who will disseminate relevant information to all. This provides a notional efficiency saving equivalent of 11 attendees at the event

Innovation Fund
This funding will be allocated in June 2009 following completion of mapping all regional construction activity. Potential projects suggested are "Generating Apprenticeships" and a longitudinal research study to understand the holistic impact of major regeneration projects on the lives of residents.