It has been a busy time for the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships (RIEPs). We have spent the last few months preparing work programmes designed to deliver the goals set out in each of our regional strategies. And now, as these programmes are launched, it is becoming clear how RIEPs will play an important role supporting authorities to drive improvement and efficiency. Not surprisingly, common themes are emerging across the nine RIEPs as councils face many similar issues. But we are also seeing the development of fresh, new methods which reflect regional circumstances. These common themes often benefit from a collective, innovative approach. In the South West, therefore, authorities aggregate commonly-occurring issues and areas of difficulty, and use the RIEP to develop and commission regional programmes. We are finding this approach allows resources to be targeted effectively, cuts down duplication, and encourages sharing of good and innovative practice. In this way, the RIEP becomes more than a local vehicle for the disbursement of central funds and starts to add real value to authorities. For example, our collective cost modelling of high-cost residential care homes has eliminated duplication of development effort, and presents a consistent approach to suppliers. Another example is an online cost and performance-management system for large property construction projects.
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