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RESOLVED: 

 

a)           
To note the progress that has been
made in the due diligence process in connection to the
disaggregation of the IT services provided from WNC to NNC (3 votes
for, 0 against, 2 abstentions).

 

b)           
To approve the decision to
disaggregate the IT service provided by WNC to NNC, with the
exclusion of the IT services provided to the Children’s Trust
and those included within the Business Systems arrangements (3
votes for, 0 against, 2 abstentions).

 

c)            
To approve that NNC will fund the
one-off costs of disaggregation and 75% of any stranded costs
incurred directly and unavoidably as part of disaggregation, for a
maximum period of 18 months from the start of the disaggregation
process (3 votes for, 0 against, 2 abstentions).

 

d)           
To delegate authority to the
Section 151 Officers of both councils to jointly agree the final
cost implications of the disaggregation (3 votes for, 2
against).

 

e)           
To note that the existing
governance arrangements in the form of the Strategic Oversight
Board and Project Delivery Board continue to oversee the delivery
of an exit plan (3 votes for, 0 against, 2 abstentions).

 

Reasons for
Recommendations

 

NNC requires its IT service to be
insourced to enable it to deliver its strategic ambitions and
deliver best value for its residents. The councils successfully
separated the Digital functions in 2023. North Northamptonshire
Council will be self-sufficient in terms of its IT arrangements
from March 2027. It is therefore appropriate that both councils
continue the disaggregation of the Core IT service, informed by
robust due diligence and overseen by strong joint governance
working within a set of sound principles that have been
agreed.

 

Alternative
Options Considered

 

Not to consider a proposal to
disaggregate IT Services. Both councils need to be able to
independently align their IT resources to their strategic aims
which best meet their residents’ and communities’
needs. Carrying out thorough due diligence, overseen by joint
governance arrangements, working within agreed principles, ensures
the right assurance around the disaggregation. The ‘do
nothing’ option is not therefore recommended.