Issue - meetings

Report of the Interim Director Finance.

In accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the Leader of the Council considered a report of the Interim Director of Finance on the Managed Service Contracts for Housing Benefits Data Entry and Revenues Bill Printing Services.  The report was admitted late to the agenda because it would have been prejudicial to the best interests of the Council to wait until the next scheduled meeting of the Executive on 7 April 2011 due to the need to have contracts in place for 1 April 2011.

An officer introduced the report, outlining the current and proposed processes for e-capture and print managed services for Revenues and Housing Benefits.  It was noted that there were very few providers of these specialised services and a short procurement process had been undertaken via Buying Solutions, which had complied with procurement procedures and legislation.  Following the capability assessment through the Buying Solutions website, only one company capable of meeting the Council’s requirements responded. The Business Case was set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

In response to a question, an officer advised that the ‘up front’ costs would be met over the term of the contract. If performance targets were not met, discounts to the contracts would be triggered.

RESOLVED:  That the award of contracts to Northgate Information Solutions UK Ltd for the provision of e-capture managed services and Revenues/Housing Benefits managed print services be approved.

Reason for Recommendation:  To authorise the award of contracts for the provision of e-capture managed services and Revenues/Housing Benefits managed print services.