Decision details

The Cabinet considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive seeking approval to enter into a contract with Microsoft to provide for the Council’s continued use of Microsoft Software, which was critical to the Council’s workforce.  Failure to procure and enter into a new contract would result in the expiry of all the essential licenses assigned to Oldham employees and all Microsoft applications no longer working. The consequence of this could be the issuing of fines for non-licence compliance. Oldham Council relied on the availability of Microsoft licences daily. Microsoft provided a secure online environment to enable Oldham Council to deliver services to Oldham residents and businesses. The ability to communicate internally and externally was central to the delivery of public and commercial services and to the Council’s ability to communicate effectively to the residents of Oldham.

Options/alternatives considered:

Option A – Approve a Call-Off Contract via Crown Commercial Services Framework Agreement RM6098 Lot 3 (Software) for an Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft and for the continued use of Microsoft Software and support. The report recommended this option to the Cabinet.

Option B – Do not approve the proposed Call-Off Contract, Oldham Council were operating on Microsoft products, and without renewing, would become non-compliant and from a licensing model the Council would be unable to deliver digital services effectively. Failure to renew the Microsoft Licenses would result in all Oldham digital solutions expiring and all digital offerings no longer working. Additionally, there would be potential fines for statutory agreements and non-licence conformity.

RESOLVED – That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 17 of the agenda before making a decision.