Decision details

The Director of Resources submitted an exempt report which sought consideration of a proposal for a three way shared ICT service and harmonisation of ICT business applications with South Northamptonshire Council and Stratford-On-Avon District Council.

Resolved

(1)          That the proposed final business case to share a three way ICT Service, and the associated harmonisation of corporate and local service business applications between Cherwell District Council (CDC), South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) and Stratford-on-Avon District Council (SDC) be approved for implementation, subject to agreement of the Personnel Committee in relation to the staffing implications, and subject also to similar consideration and approval by the respective decision making bodies of SNC and SDC.

(2)          That the responses to the consultation process with the affected staff and trade union representatives received to date as detailed in the consultation log be noted.

(3)          That it be noted that the business case would be considered by the Personnel Committee on 12 March, where a decision on the personnel implications will be made

Reasons

This business case marks a major step towards a culture change; where we deliver as many of our services through technology as we can and harmonising our business ICT applications, with a view to stripping out costs wherever possible.

The introduction of a three way shared ICT service will continue to build upon the existing shared service model between CDC and SNC, whilst supporting the principle of transformation of services with a third partner, SDC. It will provide increased resilience to all partners and ensure that specialisms and best practice can be developed internally to be shared across all partners.

It will deliver improvements, increase efficiency, avoid duplication and ultimately represents the key enabler of all transformational change across all three Councils.

It will deliver significant financial savings to all three Councils in the medium to longer term through the harmonisation of ICT business applications, whilst in the short term, a proportion of financial savings will be delivered through existing vacancies within the current teams

Alternative Options

Option One: To reject the proposal meaning the two services continue to operate independently. This would not deliver the benefits or financial savings to any of the three Councils, the improvements to the customer, or the transformational change that is associated with the DCLG funding identified in the business case.

Option Two: Approve the business case as attached.