The initial opportunity for inclusion in the register has just concluded and approximately 6 consultancies will have their details published in December 2004 on the PARSOL Consultancy Register. A further opportunity is now being made available for inclusion in the register. Full details are given below.

Local authorities are now starting to take advantage of the products that have been delivered through the PARSOL National Project.

In order to create an appropriate action plan, all English authorities should be undertaking a formal assessment of their services against the e-Planning Service Delivery Standards produced by PARSOL. The project has made available a mechanism for this review using the Quick Assessment Guide. Both the standards and the assessment guide are available for download from the PARSOL web site at www.parsol.gov.uk.

Some authorities will feel capable of conducting this assessment independently. However, the PARSOL team believes that many authorities will wish consultancy support in order to undertake an accurate and professional assessment and to help develop prioritised action plans for service delivery.

In order to ensure that this consultancy service is available to authorities, PARSOL is creating and publishing a Consultancy Register to include details of those suppliers who have passed an approval process validating their capability to deliver this service.

If you feel that you can offer such a consultancy service to local authorities and would like to apply for inclusion in the Consultancy Register then please download a copy of the Consultancy Register Briefing Notes. This document provides full details of the submission process.

Please note that written applications are required by 14th January 2005. Following receipt of the above applications, acceptable candidates will be invited to a panel interview to take place on 15th February 2005. Successful applicants will then have their details included in the register to be hosted on the PARSOL web site.