Category Archives: Local Councils

Local Councils, News, Tech

Cumbrian Council To Digitally Transform Business Operations Through SaaS

Allerdale Borough Council Chooses TechnologyOne to Deliver its Integrated ERP System

Allerdale Borough Council has chosen TechnologyOne to provide a fully integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, to help it future proof business processes, deliver efficiencies and provide better services for its residents, staff, and suppliers.

The local authority, which serves a population of 98,000 in the Northwest of England, will work with the ERP provider to digitally transform Finance, HR and other business processes using TechnologyOne’s OneCouncil Software as a Service (SaaS) technology. The council expects to deliver significant improvements and savings through the new system, which will help strengthen the organisation.

TechnologyOne’s SaaS solution will replace the council’s current finance, HR, and payroll legacy systems, to enable greater agile and mobile working for employees. It will also help improve and automate many workflow and business processes for the local authority.

The ERP system will be part of Allerdale Borough Council’s Digital Transformation Programme, which has been instigated to explore how technology can be better utilised to change, and improve, the way the council provides services and support residents, staff, and companies in its supply chain.

The new SaaS system will also support the council in achieving central government targets for local authorities to become financially self-sufficient by 2030, as OneCouncil can be easily adapted and integrated into new income generating companies the council might create.

Catherine Nicholson, Chief Officer Assets & S151, at Allerdale Borough Council said the new ERP software will provide the council’s 234 staff with a far more intuitive, easier to use, joined up business management system. By integrating different business tools, the council will create a single source of financial and HR information across the business, she said.

“Business managers across all departments will be able to access easier-to-understand, real-time information through new reporting dashboards allowing them to take appropriate and prompt action,” said Catherine. “And, by automating and moving more processes to employee self-service, a greater number of council workers will benefit from time savings, improved business insight and better decision making.”

The council’s 234 employees will also be able to access and manage a range of self-service HR activities through the secure, online portal, including booking annual leave, recording sickness absence, updating training and performance objectives, and managing their employee data. Managers will also be able to access live dashboard information about team performance, resourcing, and recruitment, while also benefiting from time savings through greater employee self-service.

TechnologyOne CEO Ed Chung said the company was seeing more UK local councils moving to SaaS given the greater demands facing them to become financially sustainable following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Given the financial pressures caused by the lockdown, and new central government funding requirements, local councils are finding it harder than ever to balance the books,” said Chung. “By digitally transforming the way they operate using Software as a Service, local authorities are finding they can achieve both time and cost savings through self-service and automation. In turn, this frees up management time which can be better reinvested into strategic decision making around how best to adapt and better service citizens.”

TechnologyOne is Australia’s leading enterprise software company, having partnered with local councils in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK for 33 years. In the UK, its technology helps provide better business insight and operational efficiencies to councils across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Economy & Jobs News, Local Councils, Local Government, North Wales

First round of funding received towards £1bn North Wales Growth Deal

WORK will begin on the landmark Growth Vision for North Wales after the first round of funding from the Welsh and UK Governments was received.

North Wales Economic Ambition Board can now move forward in laying foundations for the programmes that make up the North Wales Growth Deal, covering agri-food and tourism, energy, land and property, digital, and innovation in high-value manufacturing.

Driven by the Board’s Portfolio Management Office, based in Llandudno Junction, the initial £16m injection sets the wheels in motion and comes after years of hard work and collaboration at a regional and national level, with partners including both Governments, the private sector, colleges, and universities.

This is the first tranche from a £240m overall contribution – £120m each from both governments.

Portfolio Director Alwen Williams said: “This is a significant milestone, and a positive first step after an unprecedented 12 months.

“We’re investing in projects that will ultimately create thousands of jobs and have an effect on the lives of many families, businesses and organisations across multiple sectors.

“This is a pivotal time and – together with the Welsh and UK Governments – we will do all we can to help lead the region to a brighter future.”

Economy and North Wales Minister Ken Skates is delighted to see progress made since the Deal was signed in December.

He said: “I’m pleased that today we’re able to announce another significant milestone as the first tranche of funding is released.

“This is good news for the region after a difficult year with many challenges ahead. The Growth Deal will be pivotal in the region’s recovery from the pandemic as it has the potential to unlock £1bn investment and create thousands of jobs.”

UK Government in Wales Minister David TC Davies says the investment will have a major impact on the wider economy.

“Every area of Wales is now covered by a Growth Deal and the fantastic news that the North Wales deal can now get up and running is a testament to the planning and hard work that has gone into making it a reality for the area,” said Mr Davies.

“Growth Deals like the one in North Wales will create jobs, services and businesses as we build back better and stronger from the pandemic and revitalise our local economies.”

For more on North Wales Economic Ambition Board, visit www.northwaleseab.co.uk or follow them on social media @buegogleddcymru and @northwaleseab.

Jobs, Local Councils, North Wales

Virtual conference to seek solutions for Covid-hit North Wales industries

AN ONLINE conference will aim to meet economic challenges facing the public and private sector in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Targeting frontline staff working in the fields of skills and employability – including Careers Wales, Working Wales and further and higher education representatives – the virtual event takes place from 9.30am on Thursday October 22.

The free forum has been organised by North Wales Regional Skills Partnership, supported by North Wales Economic Ambition Board, and will include an address by Ken Skates MS, Minister for the Economy and North Wales.

David Roberts, chair of the Regional Skills Partnership, will open proceedings and believes the continued spirit of collaboration across the region is vital.

“This year has brought unprecedented challenges, the like of which we have never seen before,” said Mr Roberts.

“From an economic perspective we are going to feel this for months or even years, so coming together and shaping a plan of action is pivotal for all sectors.

“At this very challenging time there is a need for total unity and a clear path for anyone who has been made redundant or looking for a change of career because of the current financial climate.”

He added: “While this is a tough time there are opportunities for development and change, and we will explore these during the conference and as we move forward.”

Those joining the Resilient North Wales event can take part in a Q&A session, share best practice with other delegates and will be updated on latest news and information from the Welsh Government.

Other bodies represented and delivering presentations include the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Coleg Cambria, Grwp Llandrillo Menai, Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service), Citizens Advice Denbighshire, and Niall Waller from Flintshire County Council, chair of the Employability Working Group.

Earlier this year – following the COVID-19 outbreak – the Ambition Board, the Welsh Government’s Working Wales Programme, delivered by Careers Wales, the Regional Skills Partnership and the DWP united to provide job seekers with an Opportunity for Change.

With thousands of people across the country facing uncertainty or struggling to find a role in the wake of the global crisis, their aim is to help match them with essential job vacancies in alternative sectors, as well as offering online training.

Minister for the Economy and North Wales Ken Skates said: “These are exceptionally challenging times, and the Welsh Government has taken action on a number of fronts to provide assistance for businesses and individuals.

“This has included a £40m skills and jobs fund which includes the pledge that everyone over 16 will receive the assistance they need to access advice and support to find work, to pursue self-employment or to find a place in education and training.

“I congratulate the Regional Skills Partnership for bringing all the key partners together in North Wales for this event.  There is a strong spirit of collaboration in the region, which I fully endorse as we work together to support those hardest hit by the pandemic.”

To join the conference and for more information, visit: shorturl.at/dgj34

Follow the hashtags #opportunitynorthwales, #changeyourstory #northwalesjobs #walesjobslive and #teamnorthwales on social media.

COVID-19, Local Councils, News, Wales News

Bridgend Council announces new support package to help businesses make their COVID-19 comeback

A phased series of concessionary rent rates will be introduced to support small and medium-sized businesses in Bridgend County Borough as reopening continues following the pandemic lockdown.

Traders will receive a 75 per cent reduction in August, a 50 per cent reduction in September, and a 25 per cent reduction for October.

While the pandemic has been in effect, businesses have not had to pay rent for the last four months to use premises owned by Bridgend County Borough Council.

Free car parking provision which has been in place at the council’s town centre car parks is also being extended by a further month as part of the support.

Cllr Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “This support is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses such as stall holders at Bridgend Indoor Market and Maesteg Outdoor Market, occupants of industrial starter units and more.

“The council suspended rents while the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic lockdown was in effect as part of an additional £200,000 package of support. Now that businesses are open and trading once more, a phased series of rent concessions will give them some much-needed breathing space as they seek to recover and return to normal.

“We are also extending the free town centre car parking at council-maintained car parks to offer extra support, and are encouraging people to shop locally and safely.”

Other support offered by the council has included the processing and awarding of more than £28m in financial support grants, free start-back training, certification and window stickers to reassure customers, free ‘sneeze-guard’ equipment and more.