Bid Number (for EG Use). | |
Lead Bidder. | East Ayrshire Council Malcolm Roulston
Head of IT
Tel : 01563 576809
malcolm.roulston@east-ayrshire.gov.uk |
Brief Description of the aims of the project. | Bridging Partners Data/Voice Networks into one "virtual" Ayrshire-wide Public Service Network, facilitating shared back office services eg., a shared Correspondence Distribution Centre for receiving, scanning and storing Council Tax/Benefits/Patients enquiries, a shared- ICT Disaster Recovery Centre, and shared-high bandwidth Data/Voice network communications, in addition to the collaborative procurement of related services. |
Clear description of what the EGF money would be used to buy. | Consultancy addressing requirements of Data/Voice network contingency, resilience and bandwidth. Shared Correspondence Distribution Centre for receipt, scanning, storage and forwarding of mail. Shared ICT Disaster Recovery services & associated contingency facilities/equipment. Shared Data/Voice Network communications facilities. Framework agreements for collaborative procurement of Data/Voice services, Disaster Recovery and Network maintenance services. |
Partners to the project likely to commit resources | East Ayrshire Council. North Ayrshire Council. South Ayrshire Council. NHS Ayrshire & Arran. |
Names of other organisations with whom the project has been discussed (to assist the introductions process). | Community Planning Partners. Relevant private sector suppliers and consultants. Other potential public sector bidders to the Efficient Government Fund. |
Evidence that suggested approach has been deployed successfully elsewhere. | Feedback through COSLA that similar projects are being examined elsewhere, eg., "Clyde Valley Partnership", in preparation for potential bid(s) to the Efficient Government Fund. |
Are there any restrictions to enlargement of the project (ie., number of Partners). | No restrictions. The concept behind the proposal could in theory be implemented Scotland-wide across all facets of the public sector and through the active participation of the private sector. |
Benefits projected from the project. | Reduction in costs through Partners sharing back office processes for the handling scanning, storage and forwarding of incoming mail. Enhanced ICT Disaster Recovery facilities required to support planned e.Government initiatives such as 24/7 electronic access to public services. Economies of scale from collaborative procurement of externalised services and, where appropriate, the rationalisation of Partners Data/Voice network communications facilities in rural communities. Reduced costs through the development of shared Data/Voice network communications facilities to support local and national e.Government / e.Health and Community Planning initiatives requiring the interchange of data between Partners. Reduced costs through potential collaboration and sharing of CCTV infrastructure. |
Estimated financial projections. | Total | 2004/05 | 2005/06 | 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 |
Overall project cost. | £ 1,825m | £ 150k | £ 285k | £ 565k | £ 455k | £ 185k | £ 185k |
Estimated projected benefits. | £ 3,600m | £ 0 | £ 0 | £ 900k | £ 900k | £ 900k | £ 900k |
Is a pilot required - see guidance notes. | No. |
Additionally : why is EG funding required. | To facilitate the implementation of a "spend to save" initiative which can only be successfully delivered by the injection of supportive funding aiding the development of more efficient ways of delivering essential services and associated supporting facilities through the development of shared projects, including collaborative procurement, which has the potential to reduce Partners costs and streamline service delivery. The initiative provides for the establishment of a shared Correspondence Distribution Centre and ICT Disaster Recovery facility, together with the essential supporting infrastructure which is increasingly required to deliver current and future initiatives such as Electronic Government and e.Care. |
Does this project complement in anyway other EG work. | Yes. Partner plans for the development of collaborative procurement processes and the implementation of electronic procurement. |