Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain, concerning a proposal to move the existing network to a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution, and to enable Commercial engagement with a supplier to help implement the solution.

The Committee were sighted on a presentation detailing the Future Network Strategy. This included information on the background and current challenges with the network, the execution flow for procuring the network, and the aims for delivery being under a single supplier.

The Committee heard that due to the value, the contract would be received at the Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee, the Finance Committee, and finally the Court of Common Council. The future gateway papers would outline and provide the business cases. The capital bids had already been submitted for 2024/25, and the business case had not yet been defined. However, there was funding for the work in the immediate future. The capital bid funding would be determined within the next year, and it would be aligned with the budget programme.

The Committee heard that the aim was for a device would be able to connect across multiple sites, and for the Corporation and its institutions to adopt a single solution. It was clarified that the network would not be a single service provider, but in the event of the network not working, there would be a single point of contact to work toward a solution.

The network was now mostly within the cloud. There were some legacies which, due to their current format, had to remain as on-premises infrastructure. These legacies were known, and the number small and therefore a conscious decision had been made for those to remain on-premises.

The Committee heard that the City of London Police were supportive of the strategy and were mindful of the impacts upon the future police estates programme. The budget would be developed alongside the business plan and police estate programme.

RESOLVED – That Members approve the Future Network Strategy for a SASE solution, which will enable Commercial engagement with a supplier to help implement the solution.