Comensura, the specialists in organisational efficiency through the managed supply of people, announced today that it has agreed an extension of its collaborative temporary workforce framework contract with NEPO for a further two years. The extension consolidates the partnership between Comensura and NEPO which has been in place since early 2009.

NEPO represents the 12 local authorities in the north east of England and a range of associate members. Through the framework extension, NEPO members will continue to have Comensura managing the supply of temporary workers. To date, eight out of the 12 Authorities have worked with Comensura via the NEPO framework. In addition, two other public sector organisations in the region, NHS Business Services Authority and Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue Service, have used the framework to procure temporary labour through Comensura.

Commenting, Jamie Horton, MD, Comensura, said: “Since early 2009, Comensura has managed the supply of labour across multiple categories into members of NEPO. The framework is an excellent example of how effective collaborative procurement can be in terms of giving organisations visibility of their people spend and in reducing costs”

Also commenting, Ian Taylor, Director of NEPO, said: “As public sector budgets continue to be squeezed, it is all the more important that organisations procure in a way that is cost efficient and supports local economies. The contract extension with Comensura means that our members can build on the success to date of reducing expenditure, controlling costs and maintain compliance.”

Since the start of the contract between Comensura and NEPO, there has been an average saving across the framework of 6.2% in temporary labour costs. The framework has achieved significant process efficiencies in the way the Authorities manage and control the ordering, selection and invoicing of temporary labour. The new contract will deliver further cost efficiencies and provide NEPO members with Agency Worker Regulations compliance and controls.