Councils improve efficiency and cut costs by sharing IT
Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City Council have confirmed that Tony Fawcett is to be their new joint Head of IT Services. The appointment builds on other joint projects and collaborations between the two authorities.
The joint post will have responsibility for the IT team for both authorities, supporting over 1000 users, and developing the potential to host specialist service applications for use across the partnership. These changes are expected to realise savings of over £300,000 in the first 3 years. It is also expected to promote consolidation of systems and suppliers, which will generate further savings.
The joint Head of IT will also continue to use technology to minimise duplication of systems and related costs, and help improve service delivery.
Councillor Ian Carr, Leader of Test Valley Borough Council says: “This is another step in our drive to continually improve our standards of customer service and efficiency. The case for sharing IT resources with a neighbouring authority such as Winchester is very strong. It takes a lot of thought and planning to make sure that the benefits will be fully realised, but it will be well worth it. I am delighted that we are moving ahead with this project”
Councillor Kelsie Learney, Leader of Winchester City Council commented, “This appointment is just one of a series of initiatives across the council to provide increased value for money and efficiency in our back office services. We are already working with Test Valley and other councils in areas such as Revenues and Waste Management, and we continue to see real benefits for our residents from working in this way.”
The flexibility of the partnership’s design also allows it to grow, so that other public service organisations can join in the future and realise the benefits of this shared working initiative.
Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City Council are working as part of a group involving four authorities in Hampshire, looking at ways to make service delivery more efficient and provide value for money to residents. The other members are Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council.