A Labour councillor has said a need to invest £1.2million in a new IT system has come at “the worst possible time” for Lichfield District Council.
The local authority has been forced to put plans in place after Microsoft confirmed it would end support for Windows XP – the system currently used on the council’s computers.
Only 94 of the 390 desktop machines available would allow for an operating system upgrade, with knock-on costs then being associated with upgrading other elements of the network to ensure compatibility.
New Government requirements are also being introduced, with the council needing to make improvements to its IT provision, including:
- Use of encrypted memory sticks
- Additional mobile phone security
- Switching secure email inboxes away from Outlook Web Access
The money will be spent over the next five years if the scheme gets the go-ahead.
But the news comes at a time when a number of council services are facing cuts to their budgets as part of the Fit for the Future programme, which is aiming to fill a £1.7million hole in the budget.
Opposition Labour leader, Cllr Steve Norman, was one of the members of the working group alongside members of the ruling Conservative group.
And he conceded that the money would need to be found – although he questioned why it had not already been put aside when the council’s finances had been in better shape.
“We have to comply with new government requirements which means we have to do something,” Cllr Norman said. “But I did ask if there had been a ‘Sinking Fund‘ to pay for renewal or changes in the future – there wasn’t.
“This means another million pounds needs to be found – at the worst possible time for Lichfield District Council’s finances.”
The new investment was revealed in a report by Conservative Cllr Iain Eadie – the cabinet member with responsibility for IT.
He said that the council could not afford to carry on with outdated systems.
“IT is intrinsic for virtually every aspect of the council’s business, from the management of planning applications through to monitoring the collection of rubbish, the running of leisure centres and recording the condition of trees,” his report said.
“In delivering effective and efficient services to the Community it is essential that the Council’s ICT is fit for purpose.
“By implementing the recommendations it will give [the council] appropriate, robust ICT that will enable elected members to effectively communicate with their electorate and officers to deliver council services.”
