City of Edinburgh Council has said it is ready to confirm CGI Group as its preferred bidder on a new ICT contract worth £186 million over seven years.
Councillors are due to consider a report on the bid at a meeting of the Finance and Resources Committee on 3 August. The contract covers Edinburgh’s transformation programme and the provision of various IT services.
It could also be extended to other public sector organisations, a move which the council claims is a first for a Scottish local authority.
Among the features highlighted by the council are forecast savings of £45 million over the life of the contract and the creation of 221 new jobs and 60 apprenticeships in the city, with CGI proposing to place 25% of the value of the contract with small and medium enterprises.
It will also provide secondary schools with up to 50 times more broadband bandwidth and primary schools with up to 100 times more. Progress with the channel shift programme is also expected to encourage residents to carry out more transactions online.
Savings significance
Councillor Alasdair Rankin, convener of the finance and resources Committee, said: “This level of proposed saving is very significant and IT will be vital to help us transform and meet our savings challenge. If approved, this contract will make us more efficient and effective when delivering services.
“Providing young people with the latest online tools is essential and I am confident that this massive increase in bandwidth will greatly improve educational opportunities for all students throughout the city.
“It will also speed up our channel shift programme, giving residents greater flexibility to engage with and carry out their transactions with the council online.”
Pictured: Princes Street from Calton Hill, Edinburgh by Kevin Rae/Geograph.org.uk
Edinburgh City Council: www.edinburgh.gov.uk
