DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has supported Westmorland and Furness Council in the procurement of a new Revenues and Benefits system to streamline administration across the entire council area.

The procurement was conducted through a further competition under the Crown Commercial Service’s Vertical Application Solutions Framework (RM6259). The newly awarded contract will replace the legacy IT systems previously used by Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland Councils, introducing a single, harmonised platform for the unified authority. The Council anticipates savings of around £3.6 million over the next ten years as a result of the transformation.

DWF advised throughout the full procurement lifecycle, including shaping the strategy, preparing core procurement and contractual documentation, and guiding the Council through to the award stage. The team comprised Charlotte Ganz, Simon Harris, Simone Nel and Claira Rodden.

Charlotte Ganz, Director in DWF’s Commercial and Public Sector team, said:
“We are proud to have supported Westmorland and Furness Council on this strategically important IT procurement. It was a pleasure to work with the Council on such a complex and transformative project that will improve services across the region. We’re delighted to have played a part in such a strategically important contract to the Council.”

Vicky McDonald, Senior Manager for Revenues & Benefits at Westmorland and Furness Council, commented:
“Awarding a single contract for one, fit-for-purpose, cloud-hosted system has been one of the key aims of the council’s Revenues and Benefits Harmonisation Project. We thank DWF for their support over a number of months to ensure a compliant, streamlined and successful tendering process.”