Issue - meetings

This report presents a business proposal to change the ICT infrastructure which in turn will create long term savings in database licensing expenditure. The report seeks approval to secure a budget of £226,000 by using prudential borrowing over a 5 year term. This will require approval by Full Council as an addition to the capital programme.

Discussion:

This report provided details of a proposal to change the ICT infrastructure which in turn will create long term savings in database licensing expenditure. Approval to secure a budget of £226,000 by using prudential borrowing over a 5 year term was required as an addition to the Capital Programme.

The report stated that the Cabinet had considered these proposals on 7 June 2016, as set out in paragraph 7.1 of the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, Councillor Mackness, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, proposed the recommendation in the report.

Decision:

The Council approved option 2, as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report, as an addition to the Capital Programme.

Background:

This report presented a business proposal to change the ICT infrastructure which in turn would create long term savings in database licensing expenditure. The report sought approval to secure a budget of £226,000 by using prudential borrowing over a 5 year term. This would require approval by Full Council as an addition to the capital programme.

The proposed approach was essential in the short term to gain efficiencies and mitigate risk. It was consistent with the Council’s IT strategy to rationalise estate. The Council was currently considering its approach to digital transformation, the recommendations in the report in no way limited options going forward.

Reasons:

There was a clear short window of opportunity to rationalise the existing Medway Oracle and SQL database environment. Option 2 met a number of key strategic digital aims, namely:

·                     Rationalisation of software and hardware

·                     Improved resilience and system availability

·                     Reduced operational costs

·                     Improved management of ongoing software licence provision

·                     Facilitates a future off premise (cloud) database delivery model.

In summary, option 2 was the most cost effective and achievable route to revenue savings over the next 5 years.