Part 3: Have the foundations been laid for a successful partnership?

Paragraphs 3.12-3.15, 3.21-3.26, 4.17-4.18

15  The Agency considered that the success of the partnership would depend on establishing and sustaining a co-operative relationship with their partner at both operational and managerial levels. They considered that the importance of IT to the Agency and the pace of technological change meant that the partner would have to work flexibly with the Agency as priorities and requirements changed. Early indications are that a co-operative and collaborative partnership has been achieved and that a trust-based relationship is emerging. Members of the Agency's staff report greater levels of satisfaction with the IT services being delivered. Developments and changes to IT services are coming on stream far more rapidly than prior to the partnership. The Agency's co-operative relationship with CMG is now the approach urged in Recommendation 20 of the Cabinet Office's report, "Review of Major Government IT projects, Successful IT: Modernising Government in Action" published in May 2000.

16  While seeking a trust-based relationship the Agency have secured contractual safeguards. To minimise the potential for disagreement over charges for services, the Agency have full access to the accounting records of the company. This openness extends to CMG, who have undertaken to provide long-term secondees to the joint venture company, Radio Spectrum International, at cost and have agreed to provide the Agency with all evidence required to verify that charges for such secondees do not include any element of profit. CMG have granted the Department the right to audit their files to verify compliance with the relevant contractual terms. The contract also provides the Comptroller and Auditor General with the right to access the books of the joint venture company. This access extends to CMG so far as is relevant for the purposes of examining and certifying the Agency's accounts and examinations to determine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the Agency have used their resources.