Issue - meetings

  Report CSD23048

The report presented an update on Housing IT Systems and requested that contract extensions be agreed with respect of MRI Software (formerly known as Orchard Housing) and Home Connections, which were due to expire on 9 and 16 April 2024 respectively, and that work be undertaken to review future commissioning and procurement options.

In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Housing Compliance and Strategy advised that whilst it was intended to complete the review of the market and options prior to the end of the 2023 calendar year, the procurement and implementation of any new system would take additional time to deliver which was why a two-year contract extension was considered necessary in this case.  Housing IT Systems performed a number of critical roles including compiling the necessary data for the allocation of Government resources to fund homelessness prevention services and the market testing process would identify whether there were more effective options available to meet the Local Authority’s needs in this area.

RESOLVED: That the Council’s Executive be recommended to:

·  Extend the existing contracts with MRI Software and Home Connections for two years respectively to allow a full options appraisal to test the market fully;

·  Authorise the application of the two-year extension for Home Connections, provided for within the contract terms, from 16 April 2024 to 15 April 2026 at an estimated contract value of £14k per annum;

·  Approve extension beyond terms under Regulation 72a with a 1+1 options to MRI Software (formerly known as Orchard Housing). This is anticipated to commence from 16 April 2024 at an estimated annual value of £134k per annum;

·  Agree the Compliance and Strategy Division utilises the extension period to review the market in order to present commissioning and procurement options for decision by the Council’s Executive prior to the extension period expiring; and,

·  Agree the drawdown of up to £40k from the Technology Fund earmarked reserve for a SME/Business Analyst to review the market.