Decision details

To approve the creation of a new 24-month fixed term post for a Microsoft 365 Engagement and Training Specialist.

This post will be funded by the Joint ICT budget (which is proportionately funded by NEDDC, BDC and DDDC) by utilising some of the underspends from previous years which have gone into reserves.

The Joint ICT Committee and Client managers have pre-agreed to the use of the underspend for this resource.

This new role is required to ensure the councils supported by the Joint ICT service maximise its use of Microsoft 365 products.

The post will be responsible for training and engaging our employees and Councillors on various Microsoft 365 products, including Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Power BI, Power Automate, Forms, co-pilot and the Office Suite and will play a crucial role in enhancing our digital workplace by driving through adoption and effective use of these technologies.

Without this additional resource, the three authorities are less likely to adopt the new technologies or make the best use of them to improve how the council operates.

Buying consultancy has been considered as an option, however this will be more costly.

A review of the temporary resource and service position will be completed at the end of the 24 months.