For Cabinet to recommend to Council to approve an amendment to the capital programme to utilise underspends to fund two new projects, at a total of £368,000 for delivery of IT projects within this financial year.

ChildrenCHThe cabinet member for environment introduced the report and councillor Mason expanded on the report in Councillor Stoddart’s absence who was noted on sick leave. 

It was discussed that the decision to invest in the technology needed would produce improved outcomes with optimised efficiency.  It was explained that it is a move of existing capital expenditure that was intended to be taken in the subsequent year. Instead it would be brought forward into this year to progress the Council’s essential transformation work.

The £368,000 helps ensure the Council is cyber secure and can provide a level of support for residents in terms of improving communications.   

There were no comments from cabinet members. 

Group leaders gave the views of their groups.

The report was welcomed and it was noted that investment in technology and IT would be beneficial.  It was queried if there were any other projects that could be brought forward given £5.5m of the capital programme wouldn’t be spent or was associated with projects delivering under budget or not continuing. Caution was also expressed whether improved technology would improve the service for residents. 

In response to the query, it was confirmed that these were the two urgent IT projects that needed to be brought forward.  It was clarified that if too many projects were in progress it could be detrimental to do all at once. 

Councillor Swinglehurst proposed the recommendations, and it was unanimously resolved that the following be recommended to Council

a)    To approve the addition of £368,000 in this year’s capital programme, to deliver Wide Area Network (WAN) replacement project and Telephony Contact Centre project, funded from underspends in the capital programme.

That: Cabinet

b)    Delegates to the Director of Strategy and Transformation the spend, subject to Council approval, up to £368,000 to deliver the projects as part of the IT Capital Programme.