New Service Birmingham mobile contract could save £2m

SERVICE Birmingham, the partnership between Birmingham City Council and Capita, has negotiated a new mobile phone contract with Telefonica 02, which it suggests could save the council around £2m over three years.

The new arrangement is the result of a competitive tender process which was awarded on the basis of the service provider offering reduced corporate tariffs.

The mobile devices are used by council staff as part of the effort to make services as flexible as possible, allowing more employees to work on the frontline.

Negotiating the agreement with Telefonica O2 is part of a wider ‘managed service’ provided by Service Birmingham, which manages all aspects of the council’s mobile communications service.

Service Birmingham chief executive Stewart Wren said: “As well as saving money, this new deal will introduce a more cost-efficient service for the future. Service Birmingham is committed to working with the council to cut costs and this initiative is a good example.”

Deputy leader of Birmingham City Council Cllr Ian Ward said: “One of the key recommendations from last years’ Service Birmingham health check was that we should work more closely on the need to make savings because of severe Government funding cuts being imposed upon local councils.

“This project is clear proof of the determination we have to achieve this aim, while protecting front-line services where we can.

“The telephony market is a highly competitive one, and this represents good value for the taxpayer, helping us realise our ambition to modernise services in the most affordable way possible.”