Website development - using Drupal open source CMS
East Cambridgeshire District Council had developed a web site over a number of years which included interactive capabilities. The Council developed and maintained the site, supported by Socitm Consulting with a remit to transfer skills to Council staff. The website was maintained through an in-house content management system utilising a WYSIWYG web page editor and site management capabilities.
In-source procurement support
Broadland DC (BDC) had begun the process to consider how and whether they should re-tender the contract for their current outsourced ICT function. The ICT service had been outsourced for over 20 years and the current contract was 10 years old. In that time the supplier had changed many times, but the staffing had remained fairly stable having transferred under TUPE. The ICT equipment was owned by the Council and was operated on site and the Council also held the software licences. The ICT Contract was coming up for renewal and a tender exercise was being undertaken using ESPO.
Outsourcing options appraisal
Rochford District Council (RDC) faced important decisions regarding future options for its outsourced ICT service. The contract was awarded for 10 years and they were approaching the option for an extension for up to two more years. Since the award of the contract in 2001 the charges had significantly increased fuelled by indexation and contracted changes. Options to be considered included the two-year extension, re-letting the contract, or bringing the service in-house. In particular, the Council was concerned the option it chose supported the financial savings it needed to achieve over the forthcoming years. Equally it wished to remain flexible in order to take advantage of any shared services opportunities. It was necessary to ensure a timely decision was made on the extension in order to allow enough time for a procurement project to re-let the contract.
Outsourcing options appraisal
Suffolk Coastal District Council has implemented the most cost-effective, reliable and flexible option for maintaining and developing its ICT Services following an outsourcing options appraisal by Socitm Consulting. By advising the Council on the future of its ICT Service following the expiry of its existing outsourced contract, Socitm Consulting helped the Council to select the most effective option for supporting its key strategic priorities of efficiency, maintenance of service quality and obligations to county-level shared services.
Website review
Central Bedfordshire Council seek help from Socitm Consulting to improve their Web Site for users and staff and in turn be reviewed by Socitm Insight as part of its annual Better Connected survey.
GIS & LLPG strategy and implementation
The project issues
Development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) at Thurrock Council has historically been technology-led with no corporate strategy linked to key Council objectives and goals. From 2002 GIS grew ‘organically’ with little or no senior or middle management support and, once key individuals left the Council, developments, management and projects were not progressed. In particular there was no integrated or co-ordinated approach to GIS and LLPG within and between departments and key business systems were not spatially enabled and so not being utilised to their maximum potential.