Barnsley agrees £76m IT deal

Barnsley Council has agreed a 10 year €110m (£76m) deal to establish a new company to handle its IT infrastructure.

The company, which will be jointly owned by the council and commercial partner Bull Information Systems, will establish a new centre in Barnsley that will work to make the council's IT more efficient.

Phil Coppard, Barnsley's chief executive, says the driving force behind this project is the delivery of modernised services to the people of Barnsley.

'The operation of a secure ICT infrastructure is an essential requirement for the council in its aim towards being an excellent council and key initiatives of remaking Barnsley, remaking education and digital challenge aspirations,' he said.

'In-sourcing our IT services in this way not only guarantees the jobs of the existing team, it creates a new high-tech company in Barnsley.'

The new company will be used by Bull to service a number of contracts with other clients, as well as looking to win other IT business in the area.

'The new joint venture company is more than just a resource that will deliver premium services, it is a valuable commodity that we can grow and sell to outside areas,' Coppard said.

What do you think? Email us at: feedback@computing.co.uk

Further Reading:

• Wiltshire signs £12m outsourcing deal
• Brewing giant sign €70m IT outsourcing contract
• Buckinghamshire outsources doctor's computers