Report:  OneSource ICT Decoupling and creation of a Sovereign IT Service for Havering

Presented by: Councillor Paul Middleton, Portfolio Lead for Resources

2.1     Cabinet approved the following strategic actions:

2.1.1      The establishing of the Havering Sovereign IT Service by December 2025, marking the conclusion of OneSource IT's services to Havering. Transition to a new hybrid IT service, optimised for cost-effectiveness, with potential residual shared services governed by inter-authority agreements when beneficial.

2.1.2      Adoption of a structured programme comprising three distinct workstreams to realise sovereign IT Services for Havering and Newham. Each borough will oversee its respective work stream to ensure tailored outcomes, while the third will prepare OneSource's infrastructure for a seamless handover. This collaborative yet independent approach safeguards against service disruption during the transition.

2.1.3      Repurpose approved capital set aside for “Evergreening Capital” programmes to focus on improving and modernising IT infrastructure and services as part of that handover process, where it is possible to do so within time and budget constraints.

2.1.4      LBH authorisation that the s.151 Officer, in consultation with the Chief       Executive, to make all necessary arrangements to give effect to the authorisation at 2.1 above, including but not limited to:

a)   Implementing the HR and other operational processes to give effect to the recommendations.

b)   Agreeing the dates for the withdrawal of the joint ICT service.

c)   Agreeing, amending and finalising any variation or variations to the Agreement and the delegations contained therein as necessary to give effect to 2.1 above, and thereafter to sign and complete any variation on behalf of LBH.

d)   Making arrangements to receive staff into LBH as a result of the amendments to the Agreement.

e)   Making arrangements to allow LBH to share some of the proposed withdrawn services for a transitional period beyond the agreed date of implementation whilst permanent arrangements are put in place within LBH.

f)     Making arrangements to provide a support service to the retained One Source services.

g)   To prepare and/or receive and thereafter agree and set the investment case for the ICT function.

h)   To delegate the authority to conduct procurement, award, and enter into contracts associated with the recommendations in this report in coordination with the Portfolio Lead for Resources.