Decision - Orbis Services - Future model

This report outlines a proposed future model of delivery of procurement services and decisions about partnership working, following a review of the Orbis Procurement service.

1) Cabinet agrees to end the shared IT&D service arrangements with East Sussex County Council (ESCC) and Surrey County Council (SCC) under the Orbis Partnership. 2) Cabinet agrees to continue sharing core data centres with SCC subject to appropriate contractual agreements being in place. 3) Cabinet approves the additional recurring revenue budget of £457,000 to fund and establish a sovereign IT&D service for Brighton & Hove City Council. 4) Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Corporate Director, City Operations, in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, to take any action necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above including (but not limited to) agreeing the new structure for a Brighton & Hove City Council IT&D service, and entering into partnership or contractual agreements with ESCC and SCC regarding data centres. 5) Cabinet agrees to end the shared procurement service arrangements with ESCC and SCC under the Orbis Partnership. 6) Cabinet agrees to delegate authority to the Director of Property and Finance, in consultation with the relevant cabinet member, to take any action necessary or incidental to the implementation of the above including (but not limited to) agreeing the new structure for a BHCC procurement service. 7) Cabinet notes that the future model of the Internal Audit service will move away from the current Orbis Partnership service and authorises the Director of Property and Finance to work on the development of a shared Internal Audit service with ESCC. 8) Cabinet notes that the other services within the Orbis Partnership will remain, including the centres of excellence for treasury management and insurance and claims handling.

The report proposes ending Brighton & Hove City Council's shared IT&D and Procurement arrangements with East Sussex County Council and Surrey County Council through the Orbis Partnership. Brighton & Hove City Council would establish sovereign IT&D and Procurement services, while continuing to share data centres with Surrey County Council and developing a shared Internal Audit service with East Sussex County Council.