[UK] East Midlands authority moves payroll in-house at cost of £1.2m

In the UK, it has been revealed that the total cost to move payroll and HR services from one council to an authority covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire will be in excess of £1 million, West Bridgford Wire reports.

Amy Harhoff - chief executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) - signed off on a decision to spend £1.2 million on HR and payroll technology for the organisation.

Until now, Nottinghamshire County Council was carrying out these duties for the umbrella authority. However, this is set to change.

The decision reportedly comes in the wake of news that all 19 Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire councils will be scrapped and replaced with just five authorities from April 1, 2028.

The move “in-house” from Nottinghamshire, together with licensing and software agreements, will see taxpayers across the two counties and cities paying £1.2 million.

In the decision notice, the combined authority reported that £537,000 will be spent this year, followed by £569,000 in 2027 and £94,000 in 2028.

According to the East Midlands Combined County Authority, this was a delegated decision not made by elected representatives from the four member councils (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire), in line with the constitution.

The decision has reportedly been badged as a need to remain self-reliant for services, streamline and improve data quality.

The East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, was briefed on the move earlier this month and was “supportive of the decision”, which was formally signed off on August 20.

The issue can be called in for further scrutiny until 4pm on August 27.

A key decision notice states, “The implementation of TechnologyOne HR and payroll will support the development of EMCCA’s independent HR and payroll capability and replace the current interim HR system and external payroll arrangements.

“The new system will introduce changes to HR and payroll processes, including increased employee and manager self-service.

“The transition of payroll from Nottinghamshire County Council to an internally managed EMCCA service will also require clear ownership, appropriate capability and robust transition arrangements to ensure continuity and accuracy of payroll services.

“Without this change, EMCCA would continue to rely on temporary and externally supported arrangements for key workforce and payroll processes.”

It continues, “This would limit the organisation’s ability to control its own HR and payroll data, improve process efficiency, and develop integrated reporting across HR, payroll and finance.

“The implementation provides an opportunity to improve the quality and consistency of workforce data, establishment control, management information and workforce planning, supporting the authority’s continued organisational growth.”

Source: West Bridgford Wire

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, it has been revealed that the total cost to move payroll and HR services from one council to an authority covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire will be in excess of £1 million, West Bridgford Wire reports.

Amy Harhoff - chief executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) - signed off on a decision to spend £1.2 million on HR and payroll technology for the organisation.

Until now, Nottinghamshire County Council was carrying out these duties for the umbrella authority. However, this is set to change.

The decision reportedly comes in the wake of news that all 19 Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire councils will be scrapped and replaced with just five authorities from April 1, 2028.

The move “in-house” from Nottinghamshire, together with licensing and software agreements, will see taxpayers across the two counties and cities paying £1.2 million.

In the decision notice, the combined authority reported that £537,000 will be spent this year, followed by £569,000 in 2027 and £94,000 in 2028.

According to the East Midlands Combined County Authority, this was a delegated decision not made by elected representatives from the four member councils (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire), in line with the constitution.

The decision has reportedly been badged as a need to remain self-reliant for services, streamline and improve data quality.

The East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, was briefed on the move earlier this month and was “supportive of the decision”, which was formally signed off on August 20.

The issue can be called in for further scrutiny until 4pm on August 27.

A key decision notice states, “The implementation of TechnologyOne HR and payroll will support the development of EMCCA’s independent HR and payroll capability and replace the current interim HR system and external payroll arrangements.

“The new system will introduce changes to HR and payroll processes, including increased employee and manager self-service.

“The transition of payroll from Nottinghamshire County Council to an internally managed EMCCA service will also require clear ownership, appropriate capability and robust transition arrangements to ensure continuity and accuracy of payroll services.

“Without this change, EMCCA would continue to rely on temporary and externally supported arrangements for key workforce and payroll processes.”

It continues, “This would limit the organisation’s ability to control its own HR and payroll data, improve process efficiency, and develop integrated reporting across HR, payroll and finance.

“The implementation provides an opportunity to improve the quality and consistency of workforce data, establishment control, management information and workforce planning, supporting the authority’s continued organisational growth.”

Source: West Bridgford Wire

(Quotes via original reporting)