Council receives new assurances on ICT contract

The Highland Council has been given assurances from its ICT provider, Fujitsu, that it will devote the necessary resources to deliver new ICT equipment to schools and council offices.

They were given at a meeting at Council headquarters in Inverness attended by the Chairman of Fujitsu in the UK, Roger Gilbert and Chief Executive Duncan Tait.

At the high level talks, Fujitsu’s new contract leader, Rob Norris, Head of Government Contracts, outlined a plan of action and an improved approach aimed at delivering  equipment and systems essential to the Council’s efficiency programme.

The Council has been concerned at delays in the delivery of the first phases of a £66 million five-year contract involving the installation of new computers, printers and telephones at 140 schools and to 4,500 office staff across the Highlands.

However, the Council is confident that the appointment of Mr Norris and the implementation of a new approach will result in significant improvement in delivering the contract.

Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of Resources Committee, said:  “We had a very constructive meeting with the most senior of Fujitsu’s UK management, including their chairman and chief executive.  We outlined our ongoing concerns and Fujitsu responded by producing a plan of action for delivering the first phase of the contract, albeit that this will be beyond November this year, the promised delivery date.

“I am particularly pleased that Fujitsu appear to have recognised the importance of our contract and our concerns by seconding someone of the experience of Mr Norris to lead the contract.

“We were impressed by his more business-like approach and I left the meeting more confident than at any time in the past of improved performance.”