National Assembly Commission Statement on how it will deliver ICT services in the future

The Assembly has led the way in the UK and internationally in the use of technology to support parliamentary working. ICT services are fundamental to the way that Members and the Commission work.

At present, the National Assembly’s ICT services are part of the wider Welsh Government’s Merlin Services Agreement. As part of the Agreement, by March 2013 the Assembly Commission needed to make a decision whether to remain within that contract, or to exit and implement alternative arrangements.

The Commission’s overarching aim in reaching a decision was to be in a position to improve the quality, flexibility and range of services provided to the Assembly, Members, and the people of Wales over the next five to ten years, without increasing the annual budgets for ICT service delivery. Strategically, they concluded that it is the right time to begin the process of moving to arrangements over which they have direct control in order to drive forward their ambitions for future ICT services. They have therefore decided not to continue within the Merlin services Agreement and will now be working with Atos to achieve a successful transition in 2014.