Islington And Camden Set To Launch Shared IT Service

Islington and Camden Councils have revealed plans to establish a shared ICT service by April 2016 in a bid to consolidate expertise, exchange knowledge and share best practice.

The two local authorities employ over 300 ICT staff between them and use a wide range of technologies to conduct business as efficiently as possible and to deliver enhanced digital services for residents.

Such services range from websites and apps to assistive technology, alongside newer platforms which allow staff to work on the move to save time and money.

By sharing services, Camden and Islington hope that they will be able to offer a higher-performing, more responsive and more integrated service for local people.

Under the proposals, a joint committee of representatives from both councils will meet publicly to oversee the service and a single post will be created to lead and manage it.

The aim is to save £4m a year, leading to savings of £185m between the two authorities by 2018/19 in response to deep government cuts.

If the shared services plan is approved, the costs and savings generated by the project will be shared equally between the two boroughs, which already share their public health and internal audit services.

History Of Collaboration

“Islington and Camden are coming together to harness digital technology so that we can deliver services in a way that both suits local people and saves us precious money at a time when government continues to cut inner-city councils to the bone,” claimed Islington’s executive member for finance and performance, Councillor Andy Hull.

“It’s a good example of how, in the face of unprecedented challenges, we are innovating and coming up with genuinely transformative solutions,” he added.

“Both councils have a long history of collaboration and share similar objectives, so it makes perfect sense to come together to provide an improved service at a lower cost,” claimed Camden’s cabinet member for finance and technology Cllr Theo Blackwell.

“In the future, the joint service may also be able to generate income for both councils through selling its combined expertise,” he added.

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