MORE than £600,000 is being spent on upgrading and separating ICT at Hambleton District Council as the final shreds of the controversial shared service scheme with Richmondshire collapse.
For three years the two council’s shared services in a groundbreaking experiment, but the past year has been spent unravelling them after disagreement over how the system should work and the departure of the Chief Executive Peter Simpson.
Coun Peter Wilkinson told members of Hambleton’s Cabinet that there were issues with a lack of investment with the shared ICT service and the inability of Richmondshire District council to invest which was demonstrated by the use of certain free software.
Justin Ives, Director of Resources said in a report to the committee:”A separate ICT system will enable the Council to invest in ICT services at its own desired rate to meet the business priorities of the organisation. A separate ICT service will allow the Council to have its own identity rather than a shared or mixed identity.”
He explained some ICT services which operate under special agreements such as the Revenue and Benefits system would remain shared.
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