'Defects' found in part of Shropshire Council IT project set to save millions

The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) section of the programme, which covers areas such as finance, HR and payroll, has been put into the highest category of risk – having moved from amber-rated risk to red, due to "challenges", Shropshire Council's audit committee heard on Thursday.

But the other three projects mentioned within the report on the digital transformation update were ahead of schedule.

Michelle Leith, Shropshire Council's head of HR and development, said: "The project for this part has moved from amber to red, and we are working to resolve the issues that we have.

"We have come across some challenges – there are more defects in the system than anticipated and we are managing that on a daily basis."

Councillor Steve Charmley, the portfolio holder for corporate, said delays were not the primary factor and it is more important that the project is "right, first time".

"We've got an awful lot of work to do, it's changing the culture of the organisation to make sure that it works going forward," he said.

"It's not just technology we're bringing in, it's cutting edge stuff.

Timescales

"To create the savings attached to it it's got to change drastically, we can be assured that everything is being thrown into it so it does what it says on the tin.

"To deliver the big bucks at the end of this we have to do things differently, not delivering the savings is not an option.

"This one can't come under pressure, it's a big chunk of money.

"Timescales for me aren't as critical as delivering it right, first time."

Ms Leith added: "From this work we will be identifying more efficient ways of working that will cost less.

"The original business case identified £4 million worth of savings annually."

Councillor Brian Williams said: "It's encouraging to see three of the four projects are ahead of schedule which provides some assurance to us as an audit committee.

"We are aware of pressures this programme is putting on officers, it's pleasing that they are managing to keep up with elements of the programme."