Partnering chronicles

Norman Ian Eve is the chief officer of Middle Tetley County Borough Council Environmental Services Department. The department has had a rough time of it lately and has received a somewhat less than stunning best value review. Norman has his eye on bigger things, and needs a quick and painless plan to turn the department around. He has just read in Construction Manager how Liverpool has saved stacks of cash by becoming an 'enabling' council. He likes the sound of this and has noticed that something called 'partnering' plays a big part in their reversal of fortunes. He decides this is what MTCBC should be doing and starts the ball rolling…

Internal Mail MTCBC
From: nieve/the boss
To: a manager

Dave, just read a great article on this partnering lark, looks like we could save a fortune and get someone else to do all the work, how can we start getting involved in this? Get someone to do a report for me to put before the members, and ask a contractor to come and explain how it works.

Internal Mail MTCBC
From: a manager
To: trainee surveyor

Nigel, I think we should be partnering some projects and have started persuading the boss it's a good idea. You must have done something about this in college, so get me some notes done by tomorrow and find me the name of a local contractor who knows how it all works.

Internal Mail MTCBC
From: trainee surveyor
To: a manager

Dave, am writing up my college notes for you and have a few articles from mags about partnering. Tried the web to see what the treasury has to say and basically we should be doing it but it does not tell you how! Have contacted one of the contractors in the mag, Merinoca which used to be called JD Clodhopper. They said they would be happy to come along and explain it all.

Internal Mail MERINOCA
From: jclodhopper/the boss
To: salesmanager

Simon, had some clown on the blower this morning from MTCBC asking about partnering, any idea what he's on about? Told him we would go along and chat about it.

Internal Mail MERINOCA
From: salesmanager
To: jclodhopper/the boss

No problem. We are subcontracting on a few big projects where they are partnering so when we did the name change I put in the press release that we were doing it. Everyone's at it now so you've got to show willing. It would be great if we could be the partner. We then get guaranteed work without having to tender for it for years to come. Send me the details.

Internal Mail MTCBC
From: a manager
To: nieve/the boss

Norman, it's all sorted. Have got the business development manager from Merinoca coming in to tell us all about it. Sounds like they're some fancy European outfit, and I know they have worked on some big projects so we should be ok with them. Will have the report in a few days — should I mention this to any of the boys in the DLO?

Internal Mail MTCBC
From: nieve/the boss
To: a manager

God no, don't tell them in the DLO, the union will go nuts. Let's wait until we've got something sorted. Have a chat with legal and get on with that report. Merinoca sound like a good bunch.