(KEY DECISION)

Report No.  163/2017

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 163/2017 from the Director for Places was received.

The Portfolio Holder, Mr Hemsley, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to inform Cabinet of the status of the planning software system (including building control and land charges) and to seek approval to procure the provision, support, maintenance and hosting of a new software system (iDOX) through an agreement with South Kesteven District Council (SKDC).

During discussion the following points were raised:

      i.        The Director for Places, Mr Brown, confirmed that the iDOX software would be used for development control, land charges and building control functions.

    ii.        The proposed support and maintenance for the iDOX software by SKDC would build on the current relationship and help to deepen the partnership between the two Councils. The Council’s relationship with iDOX would also be enhanced.

   iii.        The Director for Places, Mr Brown, confirmed that the standard service that SKDC were offering would be the preferred option as this would meet the Councils requirements.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet APPROVED the provision, support, maintenance and hosting of the planning software system (iDOX) by South Kesteven District Council,

2.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for Places in consultation with the Director for Resources and the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Trading Standards and Resources (excluding Finance) to agree the details and form of agreement, in accordance with Section 7 subject to confirmation of compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations by South Kesteven District Council.

3.    Cabinet APPROVED creating a capital budget of £50k to deliver the infrastructure requirements from the project to be funded by Capital Receipts.

4.    Cabinet NOTED that if it was not possible to agree detailed terms with South Kesteven District Council the system would be procured through Crown Commercial Services framework for Local Authority Software Applications (LASA) in accordance with contract procedure rules.

Reasons for Decision

1.    The Council was required to review the contract with Agile Solutions.

2.    Officers had considered the alternative options and recommended working with another local authority for the provision of new software.  This would build on the collaborative working arrangements with SKDC, offer increased resilience and open up opportunities for future efficiencies through joint working.

3.    Cabinet was being asked to authorise the Director for Places in conjunction with the Director for Resources (excluding Finance) to negotiate and procure the provision, support, maintenance and hosting to the planning system (iDOX) to South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).