A NEW IT system for St Albans District Council (SADC) will cost taxpayers about £1,000 per day. SADC have formed a partnership with Northgate Information Solutions which includes technology for a new contact centre and new IT systems across the board. The

A NEW IT system for St Albans District Council (SADC) will cost taxpayers about £1,000 per day.

SADC have formed a partnership with Northgate Information Solutions which includes technology for a new contact centre and new IT systems across the board. The contract is worth more than £2.5million over seven years.

The council believe the service will provide council staff and local people with enhanced access to council information while reducing administration costs and "promoting more sustainable work practices".

Northgate will provide desktop support for more than 450 council officers and councillors and it is claimed this will enable more flexible home working which will help cut traffic congestion and lower demands for parking.

Mutairu Jibril, head of IT at SADC, said: "The council are committed to delivering a first-class service for staff and citizens by adopting innovative practices and intelligent approaches to our work. Northgate has a shared commitment to sustainable public services and our partnership will deliver radical customer service improvements that make a real difference to the lives of St Albans citizens. This new service is a stepping stone for transforming the way the council works."

Joe Bradley, managing director of local government and social housing at Northgate Public Services, added: "We are delighted to be working with SADC to deliver this programme of continuous improvement to public services that put the citizen at the heart. Local authorities must provide effective and efficient services that take into account the needs and expectations of the public, and reach out to those in the most vulnerable communities.