TO: RE DYKES
R PEAPLE
MP(94)30
BENEFITS AGENCY
AUTOMATION -
INFORMATION PAPER
@)
(ii)
(i)
tiv)
iv)
IN CONFIDENCE
MPO4/30
In considering the information paper presented
by Mr Dykes arxi Mr Peaple the Committee
noted that:
ministers had encouraged sponsors to involve
the private sector and seek funding through
the Private Finance Initiative. This, however,
would depend heavily on political willingness
and support. Representatives from the
Benefits Agency and POCL had attended
discussions about private sector involvement.
POCL and the Benefits Agency would aim to
reach clear understandings om the role of the
private sector so that neither public sector
partner was disrupted or exploited.
should funding be provided by the Private
sector, POCL would aim to use their existing
expertise and strength to secure contracts
which ensured that POCL retained control of
their network to prevent, or minimise the risk
of, the private sector exploiting opportunities
to take other POCL business. Partnership
agreements need to cortain clauses similar to
those which POCL currently had with sub-
postmasters,
efforts would be made to relax the current
investment limits should Government decide
that the initiative had to be funded by cither
POCL or the Benefits Agency.
the capital cost of the ‘Alert’ proposal to
automate 1,400 London area offices could be
absorbed within POCL’s existing capital
allocation, though other projects would be
displaced.
and agreed that:
the policy should be considered by POEC.
Future authority requests would be progressed
by MaPEC using the emergency procedures if
necessary
IN CONFIDENCE
POL00031191
POL00031191
R DYKES
R PEAPLE