Sx3 announce £23 million partnership contract

Newtownabbey-based technology company, Sx3, has signed a £23 million partnership contract with Hartlepool Borough Council to provide and manage all of the Council’s IT services over the next 10 years.

The partnership with Sx3 will allow the Council to embrace the internet age by providing electronic access to all services by the year 2005.

As part of the deal, 30 of the Council’s IT staff will transfer to Sx3. In addition, Sx3 will invest in training and in the IT infrastructure to improve the efficiency of council services.

Announcing the deal, Hartlepool Council leader Arthur Preece said: “This partnership between Sx3 and Hartlepool Council is just the kind of enterprise we want to see here in Hartlepool because it gives the town a stake in a key growth industry which is capable of generating high quality jobs in the future.”

Linda Maughan, Chief Personnel and Information Systems Officer at Hartlepool Borough Council, added: “Sx3’s involvement in the partnership will mean that staff gain from Sx3’s expertise and will have the chance to grow and advance within the company so that, in the immediate and long-term, the service to the council will become more effective.”

The partnership has also led to Sx3 locating its regional base in Hartlepool. Peter Tucker, Sx3’s Services Development Director, said: “Sx3 is delighted with this important business partnership with Hartlepool Council. This contract will result in the full range of council services being improved by making them available electronically. Housing repairs, for example, can be logged using a computer.

“Creating a new base for Sx3 in Hartlepool provides us with an excellent platform to develop further our business within the UK market. We are confident that this will lead to more contracts which will hopefully lead to further job creation in the future.” (MB)