Hi,

Could you please supply me the following procurement information in your capacity as a Local Education Authority under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

For each of the categories that follow, could you please answer the questions below as they relate to schools. If individual schools have their own arrangements please make that clear and provide information for each where that is available.

A. Finance systems for schools (financial management systems, FMS)
B. Budgets systems for schools (budget monitoring/planning systems)
C. School management information systems (MIS)
D. Payroll software or provider for schools
E. HR software or service for schools

Questions:

1. Who is the current software or service provider?*
2. What is the existing contract spend separated into annual spend and maintenance costs, if applicable?*
3. What is the contract’s length, when does it end, how long is the procurement notice period and process length, what is the procurement system used?
4. Who is the procurement process decision maker? Please specify their name and role.
5. Do you, as a local authority, mandate (i.e. through an SLA) that your schools use a service package or supplier arranged by yourselves, or are they able to choose?
6. If schools are able to choose a software and services provider, are there any categories in which choice is mandated by you as a local authority while others are left for schools to choose, i.e. a mix and match basis?
7. If applicable, what is the system implementation provider, shared service provider or technical support provider?
8. Is there a system replacement or transformation project being planned, and if so is it to be outsourced?
9. Is there any system integration in between any of the categories mentioned?

Could you also please tell me how many schools your local authority supports, i.e. the number of local authority-maintained schools.

I would like to pre-empt any possible objections against releasing information under points marked with a star (*). In the case of disclosing information about local authority suppliers, including the amount an authority is paying, I refer to the clearly established public interest in disclosing information about transparency in the spending of public money. It is vital that public bodies are getting value for money when entering into contracts. The disclosure of how much an authority is paying for a service, particularly in the competitive market for educational software, promotes competition and makes it possible for a local authority to pay a lower rate for services. No cost needs to be broken down to the extent to which it may harm a supplier's commercial abilities.

Thank you for your help. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to reach out to me by email and I will happily clarify any points you raise.

Best,
Jack Roberts