Cambridgeshire PSN breaks down borders

Eight public bodies, including one from outside the county are to share the Cambridgeshire Public Services Network (CPSN), contractor Virgin Media Business announced today.

It said the framework contract will save more than £1m per year by connecting more than 400 schools, libraries, fire stations and other public buildings.

The partnership procurement was led by Cambridgeshire county council and includes East Cambridgeshire district council, Fenland district council, Huntingdonshire district council, South Cambridgeshire district council, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire & Rescue Service and Bedfordshire & Luton Fire & Rescue Service. The voluntary and community sector, represented by the Cambridge Citizen's Advice Bureau, is also involved.

Councillor Nick Clarke, leader of Cambridgeshire said: "The CPSN network is a leading example of how we can share services and buildings to save money and focus on supporting  the people who really need it, such as older people living in their own homes, or schoolchildren getting the digital skills they need to succeed. The CPSN partnership has fantastic potential to expand which means we can go beyond technology and beyond boundaries to change the way we work together to bring real benefits to our communities."

"A super-fast network and the services that run across it are now at the fingertips of children, teachers, community groups, social workers and emergency workers across the county. It doesn't stop there, as the network is extending beyond Cambridgeshire's borders. CPSN is raising eyebrows around the UK as other areas see what's possible," he said.