Decision details

Procurement of consolidated Revenue, Benefits, Citizen Access and Document Management systems

Decision Maker: Assistant Director - Technology

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Procurement of consolidated Revenue, Benefits, Citizen Access and Document Management systems
The Purpose of the report is to provide all the details so the decision maker can make an informed decision on this procurement and project to consolidate seven current systems into one instance.

Decision:

To direct award a contract to NEC Software Solutions via CCS Framework RM6259, Vertical Application Solutions for the consolidation of seven instances of the Revenues and Benefits systems to one.

Reasons for the decision:

The Revenue and Benefits Service utilises one of the key digital systems for any local authority for the processing of payments to local businesses, council taxpayers and hundreds of low-income households on a weekly basis. The system maintains council tax and business rate accounts while applying any discounts and reliefs, along with recovering any unpaid debts to the Council.

Every council in the UK is required to process revenue and benefits data as a statutory service. As a result of local government reorganisation, the service is aiming to consolidate the seven systems into one prior to running the Annual Billing process in the 2025/2026 financial year.

Alternative options considered:

Alternative options not considered due to timescales required to consolidate to one system for Annual Billing 2025/2026.

Also factored in the cost of change, time and training required to a new supplier made this unrealistic.

Publication date: 07/12/2023

Date of decision: 06/12/2023

Effective from: 15/12/2023

Accompanying Documents: