Purpose

The existing council
‘public sector network’ contract was awarded in August
2014 and is due to expire August 2023 following a previous decision
to extend the contract in 2021.
 
Following an engagement with
specialist technology consultants, 4C Strategies, we are ready to
go to market via the soon to be released Crown Commercial Services
Network Services 3 framework for a new contract.
 
The target is to award a
contract before March 2024 using the new framework. It will take
around 24 months to migrate our existing PSN network to a new
provision.
 
To protect the commercial
interests of the council and to lock in pricing for the next two
years, we have negotiated a contract extension with our existing
provider. The cost per annum of the new contract is within the
existing budget.
 
This delegated decision is for
the contract extension only. A key decision will be presented at
Cabinet in the Autumn for the award of the new contract.