Agenda item

Report of the Chamberlain.

The Committee received a report of the Chamberlain, concerning approval for a project to engage with a third party to conduct an audit of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), to identify necessary actions and costs relating to the transition to an Internet Protocol (IP).

The Committee heard that any City Corporation operational property, including housing offices, was in scope for the project. The audit would remove all unrequired lines or connections and be able to better track the connections. It was explained that a metallic path facility (MPF) was a type of cable which provided an additional three years to transition to an IP.

Owing to the complexity of the network and the number of connections and sites, a physical audit was required which was time consuming, which provided explanation for the cost of the project. There would be a competitive tender for the third party.

It was queried what the backup would be for the digital IP. The response was that it would depend on the solution on a case-by-case basis. The member emphasised the need for redundancy and that this must be in scope for the project.

RESOLVED – That the Digital Services Committee:

·       Approve the budget of £200,000 for the appointment of a consultant to reach the next Gateway, subject to the release of funds by Resource Allocation Sub Committee, Policy and Resources Committee, and the City Bridge Foundation Board (CBF).

·       Note the total estimated cost of the project is subject to an audit of our current state.

·       Note that an indicative amount of £2.5m has been put forward under the City’s Capital and Supplementary Revenue (SRP).

·       That a Costed Risk Provision of £50,000 is approved up to the next Gateway as detailed in the Risk Register in Appendix 2.