Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for a multi-year IT Infrastructure Capital Investment Plan to maintain, modernise and secure the Council’s core digital infrastructure over the period 2026 to 2032.

The Council’s IT infrastructure and end-user devices underpin the delivery of all frontline, statutory and corporate services and support approximately 6,500 users across multiple sites.

A significant proportion of the current estate is reaching, or has exceeded, its effective lifecycle. Without planned investment, the Council faces increasing cyber security risk, rising maintenance costs, reduced system performance and a higher likelihood of service disruption, impacting the delivery of critical services to residents.

Three options have been considered: extending asset lifecycles further, increasing use of revenue-funded models or continuing a structured lifecycle-based capital investment approach.

The first two options are deemed to either increase risk or are not viable given the remaining IT infrastructure requirements.

The recommended option is to continue a lifecycle-based investment programme supported by capital funding, totalling £11.2 million over six years. This approach will ensure technology remains secure, supportable and aligned to service needs.

Approval of this plan provides a stable, resilient and cost-effective foundation to support BCP Council’s strategic objectives and ongoing delivery of reliable, resident-focused services