The report set out a business case for the upgrade of the Council’s Housing Management System, Orchard Housing. 

A free upgrade of the software would benefit both customers and staff delivering the service due to the following reasons:

-       The new software had been developed to accommodate the latest housing legislation (eg UC, RTB rules).

-       It offered better functionality that would enable staff to communicate easier with customers due to new features.

-       As the department ran a very old unsupported version of the software, the supplier was not obliged to deal with support calls or “bugs”.  That would no longer be an issue and the risk would be removed. 

-       Better system security. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to approve the recommendation in the report. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that Members:

1.    Grant delegated authority for the Head of Service  to proceed with the upgrade of Orchard Housing. 

Reasons for recommendation

When the options were assessed, Option 1 from the report was recommended as the most advantageous option for the Council and supported the “Getting our House in Order” transformation programme for the Housing Department.  There were no additional costs for the software.  The option would provide the following benefits:

-       Improved service to customers and more effective tools for staff

-       Software in line with current legislation 

-       Improved functionality would enable staff to communicate easier with customers due to new features

-       More effective supplier support

-       Increased system security

-       Better software reliability