The Head of Housing Services and Head of Financial Services submitted a report to Cabinet on 10 February 2021 to present the current status of the Housing and Asset Management System, to describe the plan for completion, and to seek additional funds to achieve project go-live.

The Cabinet decisions will be reported in the briefing note. Cllrs Chapman and Rowley, the Cabinet Members, will present the report and propose the recommendations.

Recommendations: subject to the decision of Cabinet, Council is recommended to approve a capital budget for the additional expenditure of £264,296 required to complete the Housing and Asset Management System project.

Council considered the report of the Head of Housing Services and Head of Financial Services presenting the current status of the Housing and Asset Management System, to describe the plan for completion, and seeking additional funds to achieve project go-live.

Cllr Rowley, the Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, introduced the report, proposed the recommendation and answered questions about the plan for the full system implementation.

The recommendation was agreed on being seconded and put to the vote.

Council resolved to approve a capital budget for the additional expenditure of £264,296 required to complete the Housing and Asset Management System project.

The Head of Housing Services and Head of Financial Services have submitted a report to present the current status of the Housing and Asset Management System, to describe the plan for completion, and to seek additional funds to achieve project go-live.

Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to:

1.    Endorse the revised go-live plan for the Housing Asset Management System project;

2.    Recommend to Council the approval of a capital budget for the additional expenditure of £264,296 required to complete the project; and

3.    Note the appendices supplied with this report.

The Head of Housing Services and Head of Financial Services have submitted a report to present the current status of the Housing and Asset Management System, to describe the plan for completion, and to seek additional funds to achieve project go-live.

Councillor Mike Rowley, Cabinet Member for Affordable Housing, introduced the report which rehearsed the history of a contract with a supplier for a new housing asset management system which would bring together a range of databases critical to the effectiveness of the Council and Oxford Direct Services. There had been a succession of delays to the go live date, the first being May 2019, the last being October 2020 when it was decided to wait further  until completion of ongoing testing of the system. The delays were attributable for the most part to the contractor. The delay in implementation had resulted in additional costs to the Council of  £264,000. He confirmed that while there was ongoing work for the recovery of costs, Cabinet was being asked to confirm provision of the additional sum in case needed. Despite the difficulties experienced it was clear that a system such as this was needed, and that the one being provided remained the best option. Lessons had been learnt from this project, particularly the importance of robust project management and the need for the appropriate skills when procuring IT systems.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.    Endorse the revised go-live plan for the Housing Asset Management System project;

2.    Recommend to Council the approval of a capital budget for the additional expenditure of £264,296 required to complete the project; and

3.    Note the appendices supplied with this report.