Issue - meetings

(A report by James Gilbert, Assistant Director – Corporate)

Portfolio Holder: Councillor Sandeep Ghosh

The Assistant Director – Corporate presented a report which sought allocation of funding to allow the relocation of Boston Borough Council’s ICT server room to South Holland District Council.

Members noted the proposal to relocate Boston Borough Council’s ICT server room to the offices of South Holland District Council. It was necessary to refresh the aging network infrastructure to ensure continued availability and integrity of the computer network. The proposal also sought to remove a number of environmental risks that were associated with the current ICT server room; lack of fire suppression, inadequate battery backup and utilisation of a room that was below an identified flood line.

The Assistant Director – Corporate stated that the opportunity was afforded due to the collaborative working between the Councils resulting from the formation of the Partnership.  It was underpinned and supported by a multi-site, multi-skilled ICT team, through PSPS. The proposal supported the longer term aspiration of a combined ICT environment and/or a Partnership wide move to cloud hosting. He advised that the Cabinet was requested to allocate £120,000 in the capital programme and support the addition of £20,000 to revenue to fund the proposal.

Councillor Sarah Sharpe queried whether the internet speed at the Council had been tested. She requested assurance that no one would be negatively affected by the changes. The Assistant Director – Corporate advised that assurance had been given by ICT that the infrastructure and the links would be sufficient to cope with demand.

Councillor Sarah Sharpe mentioned that she had also been provided with a breakdown of the hardware, brands and model numbers, and that she was content that they would making a best value purchase. The Assistant Director – Corporate added that they would continue to investigate best value options.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Anne Dorrian and seconded by Councillor Sarah Sharpe.

RESOLVED:

That, in order to invest in aging ICT infrastructure and to allow the relocation of the ICT server room to South Holland District Council, the Cabinet approve the addition of £120,000 to the Capital Programme and, if required, £20,000 to the revenue budget, to be financed from the Capital Reserve, and to note the implications for future year’s budgets.