Wokingham

Wokingham District Council came up trumps in the Good Communications Awards when it scooped the top prize in the IT Partnership Award category.

The Good Communications Awards recognise excellence in the public sector and the district council was awarded the top prize for demonstrating an effective partnership approach to delivering IT related services, which has resulted in better value for money for our residents.

Wokingham district council forged a partnership with specialist company Digica in 2000 when they outsourced the IT contract. The contract included all aspects of ICT support for the council including technical support, service desk and IT operations.

In 2004/05, the district council’s IT contract came up for renewal and Digica developed a proposal that would include the creation of a strategic board and the joint development of improved IT governance. The partnership has been so successful that the council’s bill for Digica’s services has been reduced by 15%, which has meant that the council has saved £590,000 over the three-year period of the contract.

Andrew Moulton, corporate head of Wokingham IT, said: “The district council has achieved a £590,000 saving over three years and we anticipate making further savings in the future as a direct result of the partnership. This partnership has evolved over the years and we now work very closely together. There have been a number of other significant benefits from the partnership, not least of which is the strategic and general input received from Digica. Our services have become more integrated as a result.”

Digica is also benefiting from the contract. Wokingham District Council is an excellent reference site, and the ability to show the partnership model in its fully working form is important to the company's business strategy as it seeks to develop further in the public sector. This was a significant contributory factor to enabling Digica to win the Winchester City managed ICT service contract recently.

The judges said: “Wokingham recognises the value of an open relationship. Over time they have moved from a nuts and bolts contract to a much more strategic engagement. But Wokingham also stands out as an example of a relationship that combines significant cost-savings with increased benefits to local citizens and businesses.”

Cllr Philip Mirfin, champion for Wokingham information and communication technology, said: “We were delighted to have been short listed for this award, and even more so when we picked up the top prize! The council entered into an IT outsourcing contract with Digica in 2000 and we firmly believe this has now developed into a ‘true’ partnership between both organisations.

“We have worked hard with Digica to ensure that we have a cost efficient system that does the business for our residents. I hope that the partnership will continue to be built on this success over the next few years.”

David Lewis, account director for Digica, said: “ ICT partnerships between local authorities and private sector organisations can sometimes lose integrity, often because of a lack of focus on the overall business goals. Wokingham District Council and Digica have developed a true partnership, built upon a framework of openness, honesty and joint responsibility with a clear focus on the district council’s business. I believe this contributed significantly to the council’s drive to modernise the delivery of services giving better value to the public.”

“I am absolutely delighted with the IT partnership of the year award, not only because is testament for what a public/private sector partnership has achieved at Wokingham District Council , but it is recognition by the industry that real partnerships have the ability to help local authorities streamline their business.”

Wokingham District Council