Decision details

The appointment of Frontier Software as management consultant to assist with major upgrades to the HR and Payroll System provided by Frontier Software.

There is a need to engage assistance from the supplier as consultants in the implementation of the major upgrades of the BDC and NEDDC HR and Payroll system. This will allow the successful processing of the payroll beyond 1st April 2016.

This will be achieved through a call off contract to the value of £30k split equally across both Councils. This will be funded from the £10k systems budgets already in the HR & Payroll budgets at BDC and NED (£20k in total). The remaining £10k will be funded from the resource budgets put in place under an earlier designated decision at both BDC and NED (£5k each respectively).

The use of support from the Frontier will enable the Council to correctly and efficiently implement fundamental changes to the HR & Payroll System and associated processes within required timescales, minimising risk of failing to process payment of salaries to all stakeholders.

Project management co-ordination together with technical support will be provided by Frontier Software enabling effective use of internal resources to facilitate the major system upgrade whilst ensuring day to day operations continue to function with minimal disruption.

Tender - rejected as the consultancy is to be provided by the system supplier and no one else will have the expertise and knowledge to support the Council in implementing the multiple upgrades required.

Use internal resources - the team do not possess the specialist expertise and skills required to effectively implement the project and it would place both Councils in a high risk position in terms of service delivery.