To note progress in respect of the Herefordshire Connects programme, approve the technology platform on which further progression will be based, and approve the extension of the existing interim agreement with Deloitte.

THAT  (a)        Cabinet notes the current position in respect of programme implementation;

            (b)       Cabinet approves the retention of SAP as the technology base; and

            (c)        Cabinet approves the extension of an interim agreement with Deloitte until such time as a decision on the master agreement can be taken.

To note progress with this phase of the Herefordshire Connects Programme, approve the technology platform for future programme development and approve the extension of the existing interim agreement with Deloitte.

Adoption of the alternative technology platform is likely to result in an estimated 5-15% reduction in benefits. Experience, and assessments carried out by the programme team and validated by CAPITA, had shown that those local authorities, central government or private sector organisations who had been most successful at driving out efficiencies had all done so through the use of technologies similar to those offered by SAP.