Beacon Councils and Rethinking Construction

Local authorities continue to be a major client in the construction industry on projects such as roadbuilding and maintenance, schools, libraries, leisure facilities and housing stock. The councils of Barnsley, Mid Devon, Middlesbrough, Norfolk, St Helens and Stockton have been recognised nationally for their efforts in the Rethinking Construction agenda through the beacon council scheme.

The scheme identifies excellence and innovation in local government across a variety of areas. In 2003 these included Quality of the Built Environment, Street and Highway Works as well as Rethinking Construction, which have all been highlighted in this publication. But this award is much more than just a badge. The scheme exists to share good practice so that authorities and organisations can learn from each other and deliver high quality services to all. Beacon authorities share their practices through learning activities such as open days, seminars, case studies and mentoring opportunities. The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) works as a partner in the scheme to support the selected authorities in sharing the highlighted good practices.

Recently extended until April 2004, the government’s Rethinking Construction initiative demonstrates the business case for change and provides a practical means by which companies can improve their productivity and competitiveness. It has shown that clients can obtain much better value for money from their investment, especially when considering the whole life of the building. By involving the supply chain in projects at an early stage, buildings can be delivered on time, on budget and defect-free, meeting the needs of clients and users.

The IDeA was created by local government for local government and is transforming local authorities through a wide range of improvement and development programmes. The IDeA supports the self-sustaining improvement of local government. Through our web-based information service IDeA Knowledge, the work we do with councils all over the country through our peer review programmes, consulting and the beacon scheme, we are harvesting the best, the most innovative, the most efficient and effective ways of doing things and offering this learning to others.

The work that the Beacon Councils are undertaking in Rethinking Construction, Quality of the Built Environment and Street and Highway Works in the provision of public services - and in sharing their practices - will bring about an improvement in communities across the country.

Further information on how to access the learning of beacon authorities can be gained directly from the beacon authorities or through the IDeA website at www.idea.gov.uk or by calling the IDeA helpline; ihelp, on 020 7296 6880.