The partnership started on 1 April 2008 with a shared vision to support frontline and back office services and it has gone from strength to strength since then.
Successes include:
- combined savings of £1.75 million in the last five years
- the first Microsoft recognised shared Enterprise Agreement in the country in 2008
- award winning street information management systems
- the launch of the ‘In My Area’ mapping system which is seen as a national example of good practise
- improvements to both council websites which mean improved and more effective maintenance. In 2013, the ENC website was ranked 10th out of 430 local authority websites for functionality, performance and accessibility
- all ICT staff ITIL qualified which means they all have a thorough understanding of industry standard processes and procedures and can share specialist knowledge across both councils
Leader of East Northamptonshire Council, Steven North, says: “We’re all under intense pressure to make substantial cost savings whilst maintaining vital services to local people. East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough have the distinction of managing the first fully shared ICT service in the country. Working together on joint procurement, improved security and data storage has allowed us to make significant cost savings and deliver a more efficient service for both authorities and consequently, our customers.”
Cllr Graham Lawman, Wellingborough Council’s ICT Champion, said: “Wellingborough is delighted to be sharing ICT services with our neighbouring authority and this has worked out really well for both residents and employees so we have lots to celebrate as we mark the fifth anniversary of this successful partnership.
“By sharing the service we’ve not only achieved considerable savings, which obviously helps council budgets, but, we’ve also developed together so this behind-the-scenes, but increasingly vital service, is the best it can possibly be.
“I’m confident the partnership will continue to go from strength to strength as more and more of our services are able to be delivered through our website in particular.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Lawrence John
Quelle/Source: Northampton Herald and Post, 25.03.2013
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