The Scottish Government

Bid Number (for EG Use)

Lead Bidder

South Lanarkshire Council
Contact: Gill Bhatti
Employee Development and Diversity Manager
Tele: 01698 455604
e-mail: gill.bhatti@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Brief description of the aims of the project

• To produce better outputs with better input in workforce training within the Clyde Valley authorities.
• Establish opportunities for standardising training for all employees
• Encourage sharing of best practice
• Extend effective consortium arrangements for commissioning development, delivery and assessment of training.
• Deliver savings in cost and time which can be redirected

Clear description of what the EGF money would be used to buy

The EGF money will be used to implement the recommendations from the feasibility study outlined in the Stage 2 development funding request. These will be common across not only Clyde Valley authorities, but across all local authorities in Scotland.

Broadly it is anticipated that the money will be spent as follows:

East Dunbartonshire Council

East Renfrewshire Council

Glasgow City Council

Inverclyde Council

North Lanarkshire Council

Renfrewshire Council

South Lanarkshire Council

West Dunbartonshire Council

Evidence that suggested approach has been deployed successfully elsewhere

Consortium arrangements for the delivery and procurement of training exist on smaller scales and the form of consortium approach varies considerably. This feasibility study would maximise the positive outcomes of consortium approaches and eradicate existing or potential duplication of training delivery and procurement. Effectively economies of scale in procurement should become evident, as well as shared expertise reducing both development, delivery and assessment time across all employing organisations involved.

Are there any restrictions to potential for enlargement of the project ( i.e. technology, number of partners etc)

None identified

Indeed the consortium would want to explore application of model across Scottish local government and in some cases across the public sector as a whole

Benefits projected from the project

The initial benefits are anticipated as maximising the benefits of consortium arrangements across local authorities in the development delivery, procurement and assessment of training for local government employees.

Specifically anticipated benefits include:

• Reduction of duplication of development delivery, procurement and assessment of training for these specific employee groups
• Increased consistency of quality of training provision across authorities
• Economies of scale in procurement by jointly commissioning
• Critical volume for training for smaller authorities and for minority subjects

Teachers and social care workers are identified as initial employee groups where training spend may be more effectively deployed across authorities. However, the nature of more generic training across all local authority employee groups may mean that lessons learned from the initial study could be applied more widely within and across authorities.

Estimated Financial projections

(Please treat these figures as indicative only)

Total

2005 / 6

2006 / 7

2007 / 8

2008 / 9

Overall project cost

£1, 125, 000

£493, 000

£237, 000

£200, 000

£195, 000

Project costs are slightly geared towards year 1 and 2 when development cost may be greatest with re-training costs featuring more in years 3 and 4

Estimated projected benefits

*£1, 000 000

£ nil

£300, 000

£300, 000

£400, 000

*Total training costs are approximately £21, 000 000 per annum. Projected cost and time benefits are estimated at approximately £1, 000 000 over the four years. However, these recurring savings will extend beyond 2009 and may increase to as much as 2.5% year on year. For example in 2009/2010 additional savings up to £525,000 may be anticipated.

Is a pilot required - see guidance notes

No, the bid will be used to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of existing arrangements with a view to extending the ones which demonstrate a 'lean' approach and value for money outcomes. Stage 2 development funding is requested

Additionally: why is EG funding required

Whilst initial responses from partner organisations are positive, funding is required to demonstrate that tangible benefits can be accrued from more effective collaboration on these particular issues. The funding will provide the impetus for specific changes leading to evidence based, measurable outcomes.

Is this project complementary in any way to other EG work

This project is a good example of like minded employers seeking to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the broad area of workforce training and development, through leaner partnership approaches.

In addition, it reflects one of the priority areas for the Efficient Government initiative, namely support service reform. |This project will undoubtedly stimulate significant changes in delivery of this important function.

Is 'stage 2 development funding' requested

A request for Stage 2 development funding up to the value of £100, 000 is made now. It is anticipated that the outcome of the initial audit and analysis of existing arrangements will yield significant financial data and delivery recommendations. Before moving to a detailed Stage 2 bid, development money is requested to facilitate:

• Working up the detailed bid
• Facilitating some more radical partnership working within Clyde Valley
• Testing recommendations where appropriate