Authorities should recognise the importance of the contract management function and the challenging nature of the role played by key individuals and ensure that appropriate training is provided for all members of the Contract Management Team30. Consideration should be given to whether planning/training events should be held involving both the Authority's and the Contractor's teams to encourage better understanding between the parties.
In the Transition Period it is particularly important that Contract Management Team is able to enforce the sections of the Contract dealing with planning and construction. As most of the Authority's obligations need to be fulfilled relatively quickly and possibly only once, the Authority should carefully consider the optimal balance between training in house staff and buying in expertise from advisers for these functions.
WIDP recommends that a training course is held for all staff in the Contract Management Team shortly before operational commencement. This course should be focussed on covering areas such as:
• the Authority's key obligations in relation to delivery of Contract Waste and payment;
• the monitoring of the performance of the services;
• the calculation of the Unitary Charge (i.e. the Payment Mechanism);
• dispute resolution procedures;
• the Contract Management Manual;
• understanding Changes made to the Contract in accordance with the Change Protocol;
• involving and working with the relevant Waste Collection Authorities; and
• communicating and working effectively with the Contractor.
The Contract Management Manual should be completed by this stage and should be used as an integral part of the course.
Broadening knowledge and understanding of the Authority's Contract is one obvious area where training may be necessary. However training may also be needed to develop generic skills such as managing relationships, communication skills and negotiation skills. Specific events may trigger a need for training associated with specific aspects of waste PFI/PPP contracts such as benchmarking and market testing exercises.
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30 See Section 1.4.3 for details of the training WIDP offer.