Scrutiny of council policies and contracts depends on councillors doing their homework. Scrutiny is hard work and can feel like a waste of time. At this meeting every decision passed without a vote. Was that reasonable?
Item 5 should have been the virtually silent Paul Middleton’s great moment. Astonishingly, the item wasn’t *ready*. The current IT contract ends on 7th March 2024. Delay could mean the contract will be renewed without scrutiny. I hope the delay isn’t a way of avoiding scrutiny. The Horizon scandal has shown cosy relationships can be disastrous and expensive.
At this meeting every decision was passed with virtually no discussion. Only Keith Darvill chipped in on an item that wasn’t his.
Martin Goode attends meetings, despite not being a cabinet member. He does his homework, asks hard questions and isn’t fobbed off. He identified a difficulty in the NHS partnership for rehabilitation services. NHS have committed £900,000 but only for one year. This is crucial as the contract lasts three years plus extensions. “What happens in year 2 if the NHS don’t continue the £900K?” The unfortunate answer is that those benefitting would cease to receive the service.
Keith Prince believes the rehabilitation service saves the NHS and LBH money. This might be wishful thinking as there’s nothing in the papers about savings.
Keith continued on another item by asking about the lack of toilet facilities for bus drivers at terminus points. The answer was ‘tough luck’. He let it pass.
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Politics in Havering 
Chris, the ERP system discussion that was pulled from the meeting was pulled at the request of officers.
The system is called Fusion, which is an Oracle-based system.
The contract was awarded 5 years ago for a 10-year contract.
The midpoint was written into the contract and hence this came to the cabinet for approval.
It is estimated that replacing the system will take around 3 years IF a suitable system can be found.
There is no hint of subterfuge. With an estimated 3-year lead time to replace the system. We will be looking to see if there are any alternative solutions in good time.
The reason I am mostly quiet during these meetings is that all the items on the list have previously been discussed at length with my cabinet colleagues and officers.
This meeting is for the opposition (and yes, the RA member has identified his group as the opposition) to scrutinise the reports.
If I asked questions at this stage it would be pure theatre. I have already asked questions and received answers.
I will answer questions if a question is raised which is directed at my portfolio, or if I can add to an answer given by a colleague.
I hope that clears up your misunderstanding
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Thank you for your detailed explanation and comment
“The contract with Oracle is due to expire on the 7th March 2024 and a decision is
required on how to proceed.” Notice *decision* and *how* in this sentence.
This is what the papers say and at no point can I see that it isn’t a new contract. As a consequence I sense that it would have been very helpful if you’d offered a quick(ish) holding statement to the cabinet, attending councillors and observers. IT contracts are very sensitive at the moment and I’m afraid that trust has all but evaporated.
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