To agree the approach to the Wide Area Network service contract for Herefordshire Council and partners, which is due for renewal in March 2014.  (Note: this report will be sent “to follow”, and will be published as a supplement.)

Cabinet considered a report about the Wide Area Network service contract for Herefordshire Council and its partners, which was due for renewal in March 2014. Members noted that the contract was currently managed by Updata Infrastructure UK Ltd, which cost the Council approximately £435,000 per annum.  The Council was working with Hoople to ensure that the replacement contract delivered value for money, and the Assistant Director People Policy and Partnerships outlined the various options available to the Council, namely:

·         To procure network provision independently for the council and its local partners only.

·         To procure WAN provision through Staffordshire County Council’s Framework Agreement.

·         To procure network provision collaboratively through the West Midlands collaborative PSN.. 

Cabinet was asked to agree the approach and delegate decision making about the preferred option to the Assistant Director People, Policy & Partnerships so that the timeline for the work could be achieved. The final decision would be made after consideration by the IM&T Board on 29th July 2013.  The decision would be made in consultation with the Cabinet Member Highways and Transport, the Chief Financial Officer and the Solicitor to the Council on 31st July 2013.  Cabinet further noted that, in respect of one of the proposed options (third bullet point above), the decision could only be made with the full knowledge of the proposed contract details which would not be available until after the Cabinet meeting.  A decision on this option would need to be made by 8th August 2013, this being the due date when full contractual commitment was needed.

Cabinet also noted the progress made towards re-procuring a Network Connectivity contract for Herefordshire Council in time for the current contract end date of March 2014.

Members made the following principal points in discussion:

·         In response to a question from the Chairman of the General Overview and Scrutiny Committee, it was confirmed that substantial savings and improved technology were possible through the various options, and that sufficiently detailed information would be available after the meeting, to enable the decision to be delegated. 

·         The Assistant Director People Policy and Partnerships emphasised the need to be clear and realistic about the Council’s requirements when agreeing an option.  She added that the main criteria for the decision were cost, and the timescales for accessing services. 

·         Assurance was given that network confidentiality would be a fundamental part of the new contract, and controls would be put in place to ensure that the network was PSN compliant.

RESOLVED:   That the Assistant Director People, Policy & Partnership be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member Highways and Transportation, Chief Financial Officer and Solicitor to the Council, to make the decision on the Wide Area Network re-procurement for Herefordshire Council.