West Midlands PSN to deliver £1.5m savings

West Midlands Police is to be part of the new West Midlands Public Services Network (WMPSN) programme.

The major regional service is expected to deliver at least £1.5 million savings per year.

The WMPSN, to be rolled out by Virgin Media Business, is a collaboration of public service bodies to procure and run a public services network (PSN) across the region as part of the Government’s PSN programme.

The network will allow schools, hospitals, emergency services and local government offices across the region to share information and collaborate – leading to improved services and allowing staff to work more flexibly.

Project managers believe the saving could increase to more than £5 million per year as more organisations join.

Councillor Robert Hulland, Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “The service has been procured to enable any public service organisation in the West Midlands (including health, fire, police, third sector and local government) to enjoy these savings. Indeed, as more organisations join, the cost to all participants reduces – which will drive out greater savings.”

Mario Di Mascio, executive director of sales at Virgin Media Business, said: “By sharing services and the economies of scale that come from collaborative procurement, public sector agencies can transform the way they work and the services they provide citizens.”