Reading shares service transformation with technology partners
14 June 2007
Reading Borough Council announces an innovative extension to its partnership with Northgate Information Solutions in order to support transformation in the delivery of its services to meet Council and Government targets and to reduce the Council’s costs.
Under a £500,000 extension to its 10 year outsourcing contract with Reading, a team of experts from Northgate will become the Council's 'iTeam'. Based at Reading's Civic Centre, the iTeam will enable a faster pace of improvement in the Council's services under its 'Transforming Services 2020' programme - which will ultimately deliver more personalised and responsive services for citizens and businesses.
By extending its partnership arrangement in this innovative manner, rather than procuring external resources, the Council can:
- effect knowledge and skills transfer to the Council and its staff through the training of a permanent in-house iTeam and thus ensuring future flexibility and sustainability of the service transformation programme;
- deliver better value for money for the citizens of Reading and gain closer access to Northgate's wealth of experience and expertise at a significant reduction to the normal cost of external consultants.
Northgate's iTeam will also assist the Council in the faster realisation of efficiency gains through service transformation, as well as sharing the risks and providing accountability to the Council, which will help to ensure the success of the programme.
Councillor Jo Lovelock, Lead Councillor for Corporate Resources at Reading Borough Council, said:
"Working with Northgate in this innovative partnership model to implement the technical aspects of the 'Transforming Services 2020' programme will allow the Council to tap into the depth of their local government experience and technology expertise at a fraction of the normal cost. Ultimately, the iTeam will enable Reading to achieve its aim of enhancing and supporting the quality of people's lives through the effective use of technology."
James Turnbull, Managing Director, Infrastructure Solutions Division of Northgate Managed Services, added:
"Northgate is proud to deepen its relationship with Reading and establish a truly flexible partnership, founded on trust and centred on the business needs of the Council. By placing a team on-site, Northgate is demonstrating its commitment to helping Reading to deliver citizen-centred services in a sustainable way that ensures long-term success of the service transformation programme."
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