Issue details

The Council’s four-year contract for variable data print services ended on 30 November 2021. This contract included printing and mailing communications for several Council services, including revenues and benefits, housing and electoral services. These services continue to go through a programme of transformation, with a focus on improved digital delivery. A new two-year contract (with the option to extend for a further two years) was recommended to ensure short-term stability of service as this transformation is embedded and services focus on Covid recovery.

The contract was awarded to the current supplier, (Financial Data Management Ltd) who had performed well throughout the contract and continues to actively support the council in the delivery of a wide range of business-critical services. As such, and to ensure ongoing service delivery, an extension of a further 2 years as per the terms of the contract awarded in Nov 2021, is considered to be the most efficient and economically advantageous solution. The extension of the contract will be on the same terms and conditions as the current contract, where costs are incurred based on actual service volumes. This provides for the opportunity to reduce printing and mailing costs as the Council expands its’ programme of digitalisation across these service areas.