The 3 Counties Alliance Partnership

3CAP (3 Counties Alliance Partnership) is a partnership between the 3 Counties Alliance (Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire County Councils – the 3CA) and business consultants, Scott Wilson.

3CAP started in July 2007 and is a 4 year agreement which runs until July 2011.

It aims to improve the delivery of highway and other professional services by joining together resources to make cost and efficiency savings.

3CAP is a pioneering venture as it is the first Alliance of its kind in the UK.

The 3 Counties Alliance Partnership has just completed the second year of its four year framework agreement with pleasing results.

The 2009/10 Annual Report provides a detailed overview of the partnership’s achievements over the last year. This includes the vision, efficiencies and financial highlights.

In April 2009, the partnership was 'Commended' in the Municiple Journal Awards and later in the same month, a 3CAP project entitled 'The effect of climate change on 3Cs Highway Network Policies and Standards’ won a 'Highly Commended' accolade in the ICE East Midlands Merit Awards.

The judges found clear evidence of good and appropriate research and well-planned studies into an issue affecting the Region, and with an innovative approach to the development of an Adaptive Response Evaluation System for wider use.

The project team are shown here with Jean Venables (ICE President). L-R: Martyn Jones (Scott Wilson), Paul Millership (Derbyshire County Council), Bernard Younger (Nottinghamshire County Council) and Andy Warrington (Leicestershire County Council).

Amalgamated staff training has begun and a joint Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) training agreement is also being established, to optimise development opportunities for graduates.

Back in June 2007, the 3CAP arrangement was awarded “Demonstration Project” status by the industry body Constructing Excellence. Demonstration projects are live construction projects that are innovating or are applying an element of best practice.

This ground-breaking alliance work is also receiving national and even international recognition and it is anticipated that 3CAP being successfully demonstrated in the East Midlands, will form a blueprint for other authorities to follow suit.

Shown in the picture are Leicestershire's Mark Stevens (Assistant Director, Highways), Derrick Needham (Engineering Design Group Manager) and Matthew Lugg (Director, Environment and Transport Department) with the award.

Samples of work procured under the 3CAP arrangement are shown below: