Issue - meetings

Revenues & Benefits - Procurement of Software Solutions

Meeting: 25/07/2019 - Cabinet (Item 20)

20 Revenues & Benefits - Procurement of Software Solutions pdf icon PDF 81 KB

Report of the Head of Corporate Resources

Minutes:

 

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Resources that set out the background to the Council’s current arrangements for software and services for the Revenues and Benefits Service. It also sought authority to commence a procurement exercise for the provision of a new contract for the Revenues and Benefits software solution.

 

Decision Made:  That the Head of Corporate Resources:

 

(1)

be authorised to conduct a procurement exercise for Software Solutions for the Revenues and Benefits Services, with a view to entering into a contract for a maximum of 7 years comprising of an initial 5-year period with an option to extend for up to 2 periods of 12 months; and

 

(2)

in consultation with the Cabinet Member - Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services be granted delegated authority to award the contract resulting from the procurement exercise and to award any extension thereof.

 

Reasons for the Decision:

 

(1)

To have appropriate and best value contractual arrangements in place for the Revenues and Benefits service;

 

(2)

The functional requirements for the Revenues and Benefits service are evolving due to channel shift and a move towards greater automation.  The future software solution should deliver the highest level of self-service and achieve the Council’s needs for service performance and cost reduction in line with the overall Customer Strategy;

 

(3)

Undertaking this process will comply with all procurement legislation and ICT contract management strategy; and

 

(4)

There is a risk that any transition to a new software solution would disrupt Revenues and Benefits service delivery. The Council must avoid interruption to service delivery and a key requirement for any proposed replacement or enhanced software solution would be a smooth transition. Suppliers will be asked to confirm how a transition to new solutions will be achieved to minimise disruption to service delivery.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

 

There is the option for the Council to continue to operate with the existing software solution in the Revenues and Benefits service. The current software systems have been in place for many years, although various software upgrades and new modules have been implemented to incorporate legislative changes or additions to functionality.

Continuing with existing software systems would not allow the Council the opportunity to test the market for the most modern and cost-effective solutions for Revenues and Benefits.