Lunchables 2026 – Slides

Week 1:

Session 1 – November 2 – The CE’s view on creating value for the nation

For this first session, we’re delighted to welcome Richard Denney, Commercial Operations Director at Government Commercial Agency (GCA) and Adele Gritten, Chief Executive at Local Partnerships. In April we saw the coming together of different government functions to form GCA, a combined force to help the public sector maximise value for the nation when buying common goods and services. Richard and Adele will explore what has been done, what’s next and why it matters to local government.

Session 2 – November 3 – The Tiering Tool: Notes from the author

The tiering tool is widely used to enable contracts to be managed in proportion to their value, risk and impact. Andrew Knight, author of the tiering tool, will be giving a tour of its features and outlining the most recent update. This session will therefore be useful to anyone wanting to introduce or refresh how they tier contracts to ensure that the right level of resources are used for monitoring, assurance and reporting.

Session 3 – November 4 – The thinking behind designing a contract management system

One of the greatest gifts is to free up time for the important work of contract managing. IT systems have the potential to do just that with Belinda Stubbs from Hampshire County Council sharing her experience of grappling with the design, build and rollout of a system that covers both procurement and contract management.

Session 4 – November 5 – What is so special about housing?

Whilst housing services in local government face many of the same contract management challenges as other services, they also operate under unique pressures and requirements. Richard Marsh from Local Partnerships recently ran a focused programme supporting housing services to manage contracts effectively. In this session, he explores some of the solutions and approaches identified to address the specific challenges.

Session 5 – November 6 – Purchasing and contracting AI

AI offers transformative potential for councils to save time, cut costs, and enhance services. However, the path to successfully procuring and embedding AI – including effective contract management and delivery – can be complex. This session with GCA offers quick-fire guidance and outlines the resources available to assist you.

Week 2:

Session 6 – November 9 – Local delivery, national policy

Applying and interpreting national policy in local government can be a challenge in rescaling and rethinking contract management. In this session we hear from Dr Richard Scarlett from Oxfordshire County Council who is doing just that as well as a personal transition from national to local government. Richard will reflect on the best practice that can be used within councils and key takeaways from working at a more local level.

Session 7 – November 10 – Proactive dispute resolution for contract managers

When things go wrong with a contract it can be bad news, damaging relationships, potentially leading to heavy legal costs and a drain on time local authorities do not have. Through an exchange between Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Chair of the Civil Mediation Council, and Kieron Dennett, author of CMPP’s guidance on Proactive Dispute Resolution, this session for contract managers will outline the value of being proactive with dispute resolution, how to mitigate escalation, how disputes may create opportunities and how to rebuild the relationship with the supplier.

Session 8 – November 11 – PA23 – a taste of the new

Join us for a bitesize session with Jen Pallister from the Cabinet Office as we explore the Procurement Act’s crucial “Manage” stage. In this session, we’ll cover:

What’s changed on the ground: real-world observations and key updates.
What it means for you: practical takeaways, including permitted contract modifications and the materialisation of a known risk.
Data insights: a look at what the early contract management data is telling us – and how it will shape contract delivery going forward.

Session 9 – November 12 – LGR, preparing the way!

While significant attention is often given to preparing contracts for LGR vesting day, the real challenge begins afterwards. Councils must establish effective contract governance, ensure continuity of supplier performance, manage legacy arrangements, and create the foundations for future commercial strategies.

Drawing on Surrey County Council’s Local Government Reorganisation programme, Keith Coleman, Assistant Director for Procurement will explore how councils may start to think about transition from preparation to ongoing contract management, sharing practical lessons, key risks, and critical success factors.

Session 10 -November 13 – Making alliance contracts work

Bringing multiple suppliers together to share responsibility for delivery through a formal collaboration is an attractive model for a range of local government services. But how do you make an alliance contract work in practice?

Clare Chamberlain from GCA will share her insights and experience, exploring the key considerations for designing and making alliance contracts successful.