Purpose

BACKGROUND
A funding requirement was included in Appendix A (Exempt) of the
‘Strategic Technology Partner Contract Award’ report
(Decision Reference: I036013) that was approved by the Executive on
3rd June 2025. This funding requirement included the provision of
temporary resources to support the implementation of the new
contract and transition to the target operating model.

An initial contract with Reach Digital for £57,760 to provide
support for the Applications and Data team (Product Teams) has
previously been approved covering work to the end of July
2025.

REQUIREMENT
Further work to support the Applications and Data team (Product
Teams) is required and this work will complete 23rd December
2025.

the deliverables will be as follows:

• Program Implement (PI) planning: Collaborate with the
Council’s Head of IT Strategy, Architecture and Product Teams
and Version 1’s Principle Delivery Manager to develop and
agree a first PI planning process.
• Strategic Business Partner: Acting as the Council’s
representative, lead engagements with business stakeholders to
facilitate the identification of business initiatives for
development into Lean Business Cases (LBC).
• Product Teams: Act as the Product Owner for the Unified Data
Platform (UDP) product team and the Automation and AI product team,
working with the resources from Version 1 and Simpson
Associates.
• Governance Processes: Provide expert advice and guidance to
facilitate the definition and implementation of an ‘end to
end’ portfolio management process; and provide expert advice
and guidance to the Version 1 Enterprise Architecture teams and the
Council to define, agree and implement a process to track benefits
realisation as identified in Lean Business Cases.
• Cross Product Team Working and Alignment: Act as a lead
Product Owner to ensure a consistent approach, standards and
quality across all five Product Teams. Work closely with the
Principle Delivery lead from Version 1 to ensure this consistency
across teams
• Mentoring Staff: Provide mentoring of staff newly appointed
to the Council IT department’s Strategic Business Partner and
Delivery Assurance role including knowledge transfer.

Due to the specialist skills and knowledge required to implement
the above deliverables, a supplier with the relevant experience is
considered essential to minimise the risks to the Council. This
type of experience is not available in the Council and needs to be
sourced externally.

There is a requirement to ensure that this contract is awarded as
soon as possible as IT leadership resources are already engaged in
restructuring and service delivery model implementation
activities.

The funding requirement for *TOM transition was £563,976 with
a number of roles already provided by Version 1 (the new Strategic
Technology Partner) through a separate Statement of Works to the
value of £404,538. The funding requirement for this Apps and
Data Contract with Reach Digital is £126,935 including a 3%
mark up.

[*TOM transition is one of the entries in the budget build for
temporary resources. TOM = Target Operating Model]

PROCUREMENT
For this requirement, the technical expertise, and knowledge of the
contract and required services, the incumbent supplier, Reach
Digital, is best placed to deliver the transition services.

To access the incumbent supplier compliantly, this contract will be
awarded to Consultancy+ via the YPO framework 1141, Managing
Consultancy and Professional Services, utilising the direct award
process.

YPO framework 1141 is a single supplier framework, providing access
to a Managed Service Provision (MSP), Consultancy+. As a single
supplier framework, the procurement process is direct award. The
MSP manages the Council’s requirements, delivering
consultancy and professional services through their supply chain -
Reach Digital are already onboarded with Consultancy+ to provide
the services required by the Council.

For contracts valued £11k to £500k, Consultancy+ charge
a markup of 3%, and there is YPO rebate of 0.5%

Decision

A decision is required to award a contract to
secure the services of Reach Digital in continuation of the
provision of support for the Applications and Data team within
IT.

This report seeks approval for:

• Award of a contract via the YPO framework 1141 to
Consultancy+ as a managed service provider, to onboard Reach
Digital.
• To release appropriate funds to fund this contract.
• To delegate authority to Tom Baker, Chief Information
Officer, to execute this contract, and to make such decisions as
are necessary to vary the contract through its term, provided that
the contract’s total value does not exceed 10% of the total
contract value.

Alternative options considered

DO NOTHING
The Council would lose the services of the incumbent supplier, and
consequently there would be significant negative impact and
impediment upon the implementation of the new IT service delivery
model and the strategic management of applications and data,
particularly Product Teams.

INTERNAL RESOURCES
This type of specialist knowledge and experience is not available
in the Council.

DIRECT AWARD
Not required; a compliant framework process is currently
available.

ALTERNATIVE PROCUREMENT PROCESS
Unlikely to secure a resource of similar or better expertise and
capability.
In mobilising and familiarising an alternative supplier, there
would necessarily be an element of repetition of work already
undertaken.
Will not meet the timescales necessary to release IT leadership
capacity for the activities above.