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RESOLVED:
Cabinet;

a)                
Approved the procurement process for the Income Management
System contract via GCloud software framework

b)                
Delegated authority to the WNC Chief Finance Officer in
consultation with Cabinet Member for HR & Corporate services to
award the contract on behalf of West Northamptonshire Council and
its Shared Services partners to the best fit supplier.
 
REASONS
RESOLVED:

1)    
Expiry of the incumbent contract - The current Income
Management System contract expires on 31 July 2026 and cannot be
extended further under the Public Contracts Regulations 2023. A
compliant procurement process is therefore required to ensure
continuity of this business critical service.

2)    
Undertaking a compliant procurement via the CCS GCloud
framework represents the most proportionate, low risk and cost
effective route. This approach safeguards service continuity,
maintains compliance, and supports the shared service operating
model across partner councils.
 
ALTERNATIVE
OPTIONS:
To address the key
issue faced by the partner authorities, the following options have
been considered:
 
Do Nothing - The
Council could choose to do nothing; however, this is not a viable
option. The contract supports the fulfilment of statutory
obligations, which require the continued provision of an Income
Management System.
 
Enter into a new
contract – The Council could choose to procure a new contract
via CSS G-cloud 14 framework which would be compliant, low-risk,
and cost-effective.