Purpose

To seek approval to enter into a renewed Microsoft Enterprise Agreement and associated Server & Cloud Enrolment arrangements to ensure continuity of Microsoft licensing and cloud services for Stockport Council from 1 October 2026. The decision will authorise the award and execution of the agreement and provide delegated authority to complete associated contractual documentation required under the framework arrangement.

Decision

The Executive Director for Corporate and Support Services has considered a report detailing a proposal to enter into a contract with Phoenix Software Limited for a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement & Server & Cloud Enrolment for the next 3 years, including but not limited to Enterprise Products, Subscription Products and a Power Platform and the licence agreement for use of Microsoft Products by the council, and has then:-

(1) Agreed to award the contract to the supplier by way of an Officer Key Decision on the terms and basis detailed in the ‘not for publication’ appendix to the report.

(2) Delegated authority to the Chief Governance Officer & Monitoring Officer to undertake the signing and sealing of the contract.

(3) Delegated authority to the Chief Governance Officer & Monitoring Officer to take all necessary steps to implement the decision including entering into and completing all necessary legal agreements to give effect to this decision.

Alternative options considered

To not enter into a new agreement, however this was rejected on the grounds that to do so would create a significant risk to the continuation of critical Microsoft services including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and associated cloud services.