Issue - meetings

This report relates to the provision of a future ICT service and the end of the current outsourced ICT contract. Due to changes in technology that are driving digital transformation the 10 year ICT outsourced service contract that was entered into in 2012 is becoming unfit for purpose in a number of ways as it was designed to support a working model of a largely static workforce based in a number of fixed offices. The contract does not take account of the range of devices that are increasingly being deployed and the uptake of the use of mobile working to drive efficiency are changing the requirements for supporting a modern workforce, nor does it take account of technologies such as cloud computing.

The ICT contractor, Sopra Steria, have approached the council to discuss possibility of a mutually agreed early termination of the contract as they are operating at a loss. Officers believe that there are advantages to agreeing to this request in that it will allow the ICT service to be reshaped to fit with the council’s wider transformation plans and provide the necessary support moving forwards as new technology is adopted.

The report related to the provision of a future ICT service and the end of the current outsourced ICT contract. Due to changes in technology that are driving digital transformation the 10 year ICT outsourced service contract that was entered into in 2012 is becoming unfit for purpose in a number of ways as it was designed to support a working model of a largely static workforce based in a number of fixed offices. The contract does not take account of the range of devices that are increasingly being deployed and the uptake of the use of mobile working to drive efficiency are changing the requirements for supporting a modern workforce, nor does it take account of technologies such as cloud computing.

The ICT contractor, Sopra Steria, had approached the council to discuss possibility of a mutually agreed early termination of the contract as they are operating at a loss. Officers believe that there are advantages to agreeing to this request in that it will allow the ICT service to be reshaped to fit with the council’s wider transformation plans and provide the necessary support moving forwards as new technology is adopted.

Proposed by Councillor Meyers,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/19/33 be received and noted.

2.        That the mutual termination of the current, 10 year ICT contract prior to the natural end date of March 2022 be agreed, so that the ICT Service can be brought back in house enabling a new support model to be created that better fits to the Councils requirements to support new technology and digital transformation.

3.        That delegated authority be given to the Corporate Director – Customers, Support and Specialist Services in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Digital Transformation and Customer Services to agree the ending of the contract at a time which is appropriate for the Council.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

This reports highlights a number of issues with the current long term ICT outsourced contract and the advantages to the Council of agreeing to the contractors request to consider a mutually agreed early termination two years prior to the natural end date of March 2022.