Councils’ six-year contract for finance services lays ground for London-wide framework
The London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond have signed a contract with Capita Local Government for a new joint finance system, based on the company’s Integra software, and range of transactional services.
It will run for six years, with an option to extend for another four, and under a framework agreement that will be available to the rest of London’s boroughs.
The contract comes as Wandsworth and Richmond are creating a staff sharing arrangement to be managed by a single chief executive with the aim of providing £10 million a year in savings. The initiative has received £3 million in support from the Government under its Transformation Challenge Awards.
It comes after the councils announced in February that Capita was their preferred bidder, with an indication that the company could also provide print services.
Early win
Chris Buss, Wandsworth’s director of finance, said: “This is a good early win for our joint working arrangement with Richmond and will deliver a saving for both councils which helps to protect frontline services.”
Mark Chapman, business director for Capital Local Government, said it will now start working with the two councils to promote the framework across London, pushing it as a model to reduce back office costs.
Under the model the councils remain as sovereign bodies with elected councillors, cabinets and leaders. Capita said they will be able to maintain their own priorities and develop their own policies.
Pictured: Wandsworth riverside by Mike Faherty, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
