Innovative and fast growing IT and business services provider Agilisys announced today they have signed a contract to deliver ICT services to a four-member partnership comprising Bolton and Wigan Councils with Wigan and Leigh Housing Company as well as Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

The strategic, long-term shared services partnership will deliver minimum guaranteed savings of more than £11m over its 7-year duration. Furthermore, transformational programmes will be put in place to not only generate additional savings and value for money, but also ensure improved service delivery for citizens of Bolton and Wigan.

The partnership will see its members benefit from a business-focused ICT service, building on the already strong teams in place to deliver a future-proofed IT infrastructure and systems so that the service remains fit for purpose as technology and demands evolve.

Initial projects are likely to include a number of ‘smarter working’ initiatives, including desktop virtualisation and WAN migration, as well as development of a new data centre facility – all of which give the partners added resilience as well as the flexibility to benefit from additional property savings.

Service delivery will begin first with the Wigan partners on 1 February, followed by Bolton Council in July – a measured approach built on Agilisys’ extensive experience in large-scale mobilisation that will allow for a smooth transition over the next six months.

Cllr Ged Bretherton, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for efficiency, praised the new partnership. He said:“Increasingly as councils we’ve got to think imaginatively to find new ways of saving money. Creating partnerships like this with neighbouring councils is a proven and effective way of driving down costs.

I’m really pleased we’ve been able to work together on this contract. Getting our IT systems right is hugely important, and without that technology the services we provide to the public would suffer. But it’s also right to find the best deal for taxpayers. I’m confident we have got both those things right in this case.”

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council added, “We were looking for a supplier who would be able to transform services through new technologies and respond quickly to changes in customer requirements.  Agilisys were best placed to do this and we are confident that they will work with us to provide value for money services for the residents of Bolton and Wigan.

“Day-to-day support and know how will continue to be provided by staff based locally in Bolton and Wigan, who will be working closely together with Agilisys to share knowledge and best practice, taking advantage of the wide expertise across the partnership.”

Agilisys CEO Steven Beard said, “We are proud to have been awarded the contract for this innovative shared service partnership and we look forward to working closely with all partners to deliver lasting IT-enabled improvements, bringing benefits to the councils and citizens alike. We’re delighted to extend our already strong presence in the North West, providing a strong base for additional growth that will continue to enhance the value we deliver to our customers across the region.”