REPORT OF THE

CABINET/LEADER

PART II

SOUTH EAST CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE (SECE) - BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WORK STREAM

On 31 January 2006 the Executive Member for Policy and Resources approved the County Council's involvement in, and progress made to date with the SECE Building Construction work stream.

The County Council's role in the Centre has so far been to provide leadership to the work stream and the intellectual capacity on best practice on how local authorities can develop improved procurement practice. There has been good contact and consultation with the 74 SECE authorities, associated groups and wider national interest in the work being undertaken through this work stream.

Primary focus to date has been on the introduction of a new regional framework for SECE. The framework will be available for all major public building work, and include schools, libraries, civic offices, sport and leisure facilities, care homes, housing and the like. SECE is currently the only regional centre of excellence embarking on such an initiative which offers the opportunity to link up construction procurement on a very large scale, potentially creating significant leverage within the industry and bringing the benefits of economies of scale.

Work is also underway on the development of sub regional arrangements based around clusters of authorities. Such arrangements will be most suited to the small to medium size contractors who carry out smaller projects ranging up to £2.5m. In addition, as part of the development of the SECE framework a number of projects have been offered by the SECE authorities to pathfinder schemes. The development of collaborative maintenance arrangements are also underway with a view to delivering high quality services with demonstratable value for money.

It is also anitipated that the work stream will later focus on specialist works (services, roofing, landscaping etc.) and consultants, as well as unified approaches to contractor selection, performance management and e.tendering.

To ensure proper governance, a SECE Steering Group will initially be formed to review the development work, provide scrutiny, direction and agree the final form of arrangements. The County Council, as lead authority will chair the Steering Group.

This decision supports Aims 2 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy by working closely with the industry to consider whole life costs whilst continuously improving services.

T. K. THORNBER, C.B.E.,

Leader.