Co-procurement

Tonbridge & Malling, Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells councils identified that they were all looking to purchase a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

It was recognised that whilst there may be opportunities to achieve cost reduction through co-procurement, it was also acknowledged that the different councils had varied needs depending on existing back office systems and project timetables.

To be successful, it was critical that each council ended up with the most appropriate CRM for their circumstances. Each authority prepared an individual specification to an agreed format.

A common approach to evaluation was adopted taking account of each authority's own priorities.

Each council was able to achieve significant capital and revenue saving over a 5 year period, while retaining their own individual contracts with the suppliers.

Benefits

• By adopting a "light touch partnership" achieved significant cost reduction and value for money without compromise to their individual priorities.
• Future initiatives include shared working to improve customer services across the councils. The partners have agreed key principles to work together on a range of customer services projects.