Collective energy switching framework launched for UK councils with iChoosr
Councils can help save their residents money by using a new framework for collective energy switching programmes which have already saved householders in other countries £3.5 million. The framework, which has been launched by the Local Government Association in partnership with switching provider iChoosr, is free to use and fully compliant with procurement regulations. Essex and Lincolnshire County Councils have already signed up to the framework and will be part of the first auction taking place in February. Further auctions are planned to take place in May and October. More than 150 councils in the Netherland and Belgium have already taken part in collective switching, signing up residents and negotiating cheaper energy prices on their behalf. As a result, more than 300,000 people have registered their interest. Those who have transferred have saved an on average £125 a year on their energy bills, the company says. Councillor Peter Fleming, Chair of the LGA Improvement Board, said: "At a time when local government funding is being cut, the best thing about collective switching is that it delivers a huge benefit to residents without costing much to deliver. It's efficient, effective and highly popular."
Pictured: The iChoosr website
iChoosr: www.ichoosr.com
Southwark selects Sabio to deploy Avaya contact centre technology
Southwark Council has launched a new in-house contact centre after choosing Sabio, the specialist customer service technology systems integrator, to deploy an Avaya communications platform solution. Since the launch, the solution has helped Southwark secure a 15% improvement in agent resourcing, a 50% reduction in wait times and almost 80% of calls resolved at first point of contact, the company says. Sabio's solution for Southwark Council is based on Avaya Aura Contact Center technology. Sabio also deployed an Avaya Voice Portal solution to provide automated service for customers, as well as fully integrated Workforce Management and Quality Monitoring capabilities to optimise agent forecasting, scheduling and ongoing performance.
Sabio: www.sabio.co.uk
More than 70 councils now use Civica financial system, firm announces
Specialist systems and business process services firm Civica has announced its web-based financial management system is now used by more than 70 local authorities including recent additions Chichester District Council, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, North East Derbyshire District Council and Surrey Heath Borough Council. By using the web-based integrated financial and procurement solution and automating transactional workflows, authorities have developed cost-effective, self-service working capabilities, the company says. Designed specifically for the public sector, Civica's integrated software provides core accounting and administration capabilities. Civica's financial software provides full purchase to pay facilities including procurement, contract monitoring and supplier portal; Accounts Receivable and legal modules; IFRS compliant assets, eBudgeting, forecasting and fully automated bank reconciliation with a web enquiry tool. It supports enhanced workflow and business alerts where data is pushed to users, resulting in better visibility of real-time information to help pre-empt events, whilst also allowing for the removal of costly administration from officer workloads.
Civica: www.civica.co.uk
