Westminster Council will deliver savings of £9 million after it extended its customer services contract with Vertex for another two years until November 2014.

The services that are being extended are customer services, information and communication technology and banking operations.

Following a strategic review of the contract and recognising the challenges faced within the council over the next three years, Westminster and Vertex have agreed to extend the provision of these services while delivering savings of £9 million to the council. This contract extension will also provide stability through a period of significant change in Westminster and the predicted increase in demand for services, particularly in London during 2012.

The human resources, facilities management, outsourced procurement and transport functions part of the current contract will expire in November 2012 and be re-procured. The Vertex contact centre handles 100,000 calls per month and currently received 20,000 visits per month in the One Stop Services.

Cllr Melvyn Caplan, Westminster Council’s cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “Westminster aspires to be a global leader in city management and leading up to the 2012 Olympics, customer services will play a critical role in how people access and use our services.”

“Vertex provides a vital service to residents, businesses and visitors and we are pleased to extend our partnership with them to maintain and improve our services.”

“We know there is more work to be done and we will build on what we have achieved so far to provide the best possible service and value for money to people across the city.”

Paul Sweeny, CEO of Vertex, said: “We are delighted to be continuing to work with Westminster Council, especially during such a critical time of change. It is vital that at this time, citizens continue to receive world class customer service alongside the council delivering the necessary savings required of it.”

Vertex was first awarded the contract with Westminster Council in November 2002 and the value of the main contract is around £30 million per year.