Issue - meetings

To consider a recommendation from the Administrative Committee.

Council considered a report on the proposed Civic Engagement Portal following a recommendation from the Administrative Committee.  Council resolved to agree the expenditure for the following:

1.    the expansion of the Granicus Civic Engagement platform, to merge existing self-service portals into one and offer a wider range of features and functions to Spelthorne’s communities and customers through that portal,

2.    the direct award for a call off contract via the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) GCloud 12 (RM1557) procurement framework to system vendor Granicus-Firmstep Limited “Lot 2:Cloud Software”. The contract to run for a minimum of 2 years with the option to extend the contract for up to 2 periods of 12 months each; and

The Group Head of Corporate Governance was authorised to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the new contract.

The consider a report from the Programme Manager which seeks approval to

1.    Agree the expansion of the Granicus Civic engagement platform, to merge existing self-service portals into one and offer a wider range of features and functions to Spelthorne’s communities and customers through that portal.

2.    To authorise direct award for a call off contract via the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) GCloud 12 (RM1557) procurement framework to system vendor Granicus-Firmstep Limited “Lot 2:Cloud Software”. The contract would run for a minimum of 2 years with the option to extend the contract for up to 2 periods of 12 months each.

3.    To authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the new contract.

4.    As the planned expenditure is unbudgeted and coming from reserves, there is no delegation to a committee to authorise this.  A recommendation is sought from this Committee for the report to go to full Council to enable Spelthorne to deliver improved services to its customers.

The committee considered a report from the Programme Manager that sought agreement from the committee to expand the current customer platform. The Programme Manager explained that if developed, residents who used the platform would receive a faster, more efficient service.

The committee noted that although there would be initial expenditure, as licenses for other products expired, a decision to approve would ultimately result in savings. The committee acknowledged that the Council already used Granicus in some areas, and there was knowledge and skill within the organisation to help expand and develop it. The committee also noted the use of the platform by over half of public sector organisations in the UK.

Subject to Council approving the expenditure, the committee resolved to

1.    Agree the expansion of the Granicus Civic Engagement platform, to merge existing self-service portals into one and offer a wider range of features and functions to Spelthorne’s communities and customers through that portal.

2.    To authorise direct award for a call off contract via the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) GCloud 12 (RM1557) procurement framework to system vendor Granicus-Firmstep Limited “Lot 2:Cloud Software”. The contract would run for a minimum of 2 years with the option to extend the contract for up to 2 periods of 12 months each.

3.    To authorise the Head of Corporate Governance to enter into any legal documentation necessary to implement the new contract.