Issue - meetings

RESOLVED that: 1) Council award a 5-year contract to MRI Real Estate Software for ongoing annual support of the Housing Management System and One System upgrade; and,

2)    Council approves the capital programme be updated to include the capital cost of the One System upgrade, which can be funded by capital receipts.

Executive considered a report, presented by the Portfolio Holder for Housing, which sought Members’ approval to recommend to Council to enter into a contract with MRI Real Estate Software for ongoing support of the Open Housing system and to upgrade to “One Housing”.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing informed Members that the current 5-year contract had been signed in 2018 with the option to extend (which had been enacted).  The current contract for ongoing software and maintenance expired on 30^th April 2025.

While “Open Housing” provided repair, servicing, and programmed works functionality, in recognition of the developing themes around housing and compliance, “Open Housing” had been upgraded and rebranded as “One Housing”, which provided additional enhancements including functionality, appearance, navigation, and the easier extraction of data.

The full cost of the 5-year contract, which included the annual licence and maintenance support, the purchase and implementation of additional modules and the upgrade to “One Housing”, was £464,599.65.

The ongoing annual support totalled £274,879.65 and was contained within existing revenue budgets.  The Capital expenditure, £189,720, could be funded by available capital receipts.

It was explained that the procurement exercise had been under the KCS framework, and this had been with Capita One Ltd.  However, Capita One Ltd. had been acquired by MRI in September 2024, with the name subsequently changed at Companies House.  As the contract had been procured via Capita Business Services Ltd., the contract would be novated to MRI.

Moved by Councillor Phil Smith and seconded by Councillor John Ritchie

RECOMMENDED that: 1) Council award a 5-year contract to MRI for ongoing annual support of the Housing Management System and One System upgrade,

2)    Council approve the capital programme be updated to include the capital cost of the One System upgrade, which can be funded by capital receipts.