Home >> Media Centre >> Press Releases >> 2005>> Castle Point Borough Council Signs Strategic ICT Partnership with Steria

Castle Point Borough Council has selected Steria, a leading end-to-end European IT services provider, as its Strategic Partner for ICT in a five year contract worth over £5 million. The contract will see the Council maintain strategic control of, and Steria take responsibility for, the operation of all the Council's ICT services. This is the largest contract ever awarded by Castle Point Borough Council, reflecting its dedication to partnering arrangements for delivery of services. Castle Point and Steria have a relationship dating back to 1997, but the signing of this contract, awarded to Steria as a result of a GCat procurement, marks a new era for Castle Point's strategic approach to ICT. In addition to the provision of an off-site data centre and the management of related services, a key element of the contract is Steria’s Intelligent Service Desk (ISD), part of the larger ITIL-approved service model. This will provide a single point of contact with Steria for Castle Point Council employees, managing all technical enquiries as well as providing wide-ranging tactical support, comprehensive desktop and software support and training. John Hunter, Head of Strategic Policy and Performance, Castle Point Borough Council, said, “Steria's success in winning this contract is down to its extensive local government expertise and an already strong understanding of our requirements, as well as an excellent performance in existing contracts with us. By becoming a strategic partner for the Council and taking ownership of and operating all of the Council' s ICT services, Steria will help us deliver the best possible services to the citizens of Castle Point.” Guy Lambert, Director, Local Government, Steria, said, “We are delighted to further extend our relationship with Castle Point Borough Council and help service the needs of hundreds of council IT users to in turn enhance the citizen's experience. It is through such close partnerships between councils and IT providers that e-government can really go the 'extra mile' to enhance the end-user experience and engage council users."