Decision
Analysis
outcome: The recommendations were approved.
summary: The decision involves the management of a place within the UK council jurisdiction.
topline: The Director of Management of Place has decided to approve recommendations for the management of a place within the UK council jurisdiction.
reason_contentious: The issue is not particularly contentious as it mainly involves management decisions.
affected_stakeholders: ["Director: Management of Place", "Local residents", "Businesses in the area"]
contentiousness_score: 2
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://democracy.bristol.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=3337
Decision Maker: Director: Management of Place
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose: Bristol Operations Centre (BOC) provides security alarm monitoring for Bristol City Council (BCC) premises and a range of external customers. As a critical service, BOC must support customers in upgrading their alarm equipment to meet nationally mandated deadlines associated with the UK's migration from analogue to digital telecommunications networks and the planned decommissioning of 2G and 3G mobile networks. In parallel, BOC is transitioning all security alarm monitoring services to the Skyresponse platform as part of the BOC Technology Upgrade Programme, which received Committee approval in July 2025. This is a revenue generating contract on a cost recovery basis, which will recuperate money that is spent and be supported by other revenue Bristol Operations Centre (BOC) generates. The contract is funded by BOC's revenue account and the cost of alarms is included on the invoice to the customer. There is no further funding needed to award this contract. The value remaining on the now expired contract will be used as the baseline value (£92,755), with the option of a £50,000 extension should it be needed down the line. Though it’s worth noting, the previous contract was in place for 5 years and had a total spend of £147,245, which included a very high number of upgraded alarms due to the national switch from analogue to digital networks, so spend is unlikely to be as high going forward. Our previous contract with CSL expired on 6 July 2026. A swift renewal of the contract with CSL is vital in being able meet deadlines ensure all BCC premises have digital alarms and can have resilient monitoring ahead of the national switch to digital telecoms. Without this contract, BCC buildings not already upgraded will be forced to seek alternative monitoring providers outside Bristol City Council in order to have alarms compatible with the national removal of PSTN lines installed, leading to a direct loss of revenue for the organisation and undermining the Council's investment in its alarm monitoring service. In addition, BOC would be unable to onboard new customers requiring digital alarm monitoring solutions, restricting future revenue growth and limiting the service's ability to expand and having a negative financial impact on the service and its reputation.
Content:
Date of Decision: July 31, 2026