Cabinet Standing Committee on Public Administration approved the detail of the Shared Corporate Services Strategy on 29 January 2002. In regard to ICT expenditure the Standing Committee determined that all agency expenditure proposals for corporate services ICT systems be approved by Premier's Department, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and NSW Treasury within a timeframe of 21 days. The approval process ensures that agency expenditure, both financial and staff time, is consistent with the objectives of the Shared Corporate Services Strategy.

Circular 2002-08 was issued in February 2002 to advise agencies of the approval process. This circular is issued as a reminder of the continued need to seek approval for corporate services related ICT bids and to clarify the circumstances when approval is required.

This requirement continues with the transfer of the Shared Corporate Services Strategy to the Department of Commerce effective from 1 July 2003. The Corporate Services Reform (CSR) team will transfer from the Premier's Department to the Department of Commerce on 1 July 2003 for administrative purposes and the team will physically relocate to the McKell Building from 25 July 2003. For the purposes of this Circular, current contact details as shown should be used until further notice.

Agency Coverage
The ICT Expenditure Review covers all General Government Sector agencies and the Department of Housing for corporate services ICT expenditure to support human resources, IT, finance and office services, as a minimum. The Circular does not cover ICT to support core business functions. The Circular applies regardless of whether the expenditure is funded internally or externally.

The intention of the approval process is to ensure that the expenditure complies with the Shared Corporate Services Strategy.

Expenditure Coverage

1. Expenditure over $500,000 is covered by the existing requirement for budget dependent General Government Sector agencies outlined in the annual Treasury Circular "Funding for Information and Communication Technology Proposals". This circular extends the existing requirement for ICT expenditure over $500,000 to non-budget dependent General Government Sector agencies and the Department of Housing to which the Corporate Services Strategy applies, for corporate services expenditure only. Business cases will be accepted from these agencies at any time.
2. Expenditure below $500 000. The CSR team will manage the approval process for all proposed corporate services software and hardware expenditure below $500,000, which supports human resources, finance, procurement and records management functions. This covers new products and services, upgrades and additional licences for corporate services applications. Peripherals, additional licences for office and core business applications, additional personal computers and maintenance are not included in this requirement. A proforma for Expenditure below $500 000 is attached.

Agencies are required to seek approval whether the proposal is to be funded from internal or external sources, and regardless of cost. Approval will be required for expenditure until the Shared Services Steering Committee agrees that the Shared Corporate Services Strategy has been fully implemented in your agency.

Agencies' proposals should be forwarded to the CSR team. Please forward the proposal electronically to [email protected]. A proforma for the proposal is attached.

The CSR team will advise agencies of the outcome within 21 days of receipt.

Advance Notice of Business Cases
Agencies covered by the Shared Corporate Services Strategy are also asked to provide the CSR team with advance notice of ICT business cases for Treasury funding so that opportunities for joint bids which could result in substantial savings across the sector can be identified and progressed.

Advance notice can be submitted at any time to [email protected]. A proforma for advance notice of Business Cases is attached. Please note this advance notice advice will not replace the need for formal proposals as outlined in 1. and 2. when an agency is ready to proceed.

Please forward a copy of this circular directly to your agency Chief Information Officer and/or Information Technology Manager. I appreciate your efforts to support the implementation of this decision. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please contact Rachel Sieff on (02) 9228 3156, email [email protected] or Susan McHattie on (02) 9228 3927, email [email protected].

Dr Col Gellatly
Director-General

Issued by: Premier's Department
Contact: Susan McHattie
Telephone: (02) 9228 3927
Email: [email protected]
File Number: RRD/01268-5
Date: 30 June 2003
sharedcorporateservices.premiers.nsw.gov.au/csss/
www.dpc.nsw.gov.au

This Circular supersedes Circular No 2002-08