Birmingham's 'Doomed' IT Project Pushed Back Again
Birmingham City Council's long-troubled and vastly over-budget Oracle IT project has been hit by another significant delay, pushing its launch back by several more months. The authority has now confirmed that the system, originally intended to modernise its finance, procurement, and HR operations, will not go live until at least the end of July 2026, with autumn also a possibility.
A History of Soaring Costs and Missed Deadlines
The project, known internally as the Brindley programme, is now a staggering four years behind its initial schedule. Its catastrophic initial failure to launch in 2022 was a critical factor in the council effectively declaring bankruptcy. Costs have ballooned from an initial estimate of under £20 million to a reported £171 million to date, despite promises of annual efficiency savings.
Despite the involvement of a dedicated commissioner, Myron Hryck, who was brought in for his Oracle expertise at a cost of £1,100 per day, and over 90 external consultants, the programme has been plagued with problems. The council's current project lead is Philip Macpherson.
Whistleblowers have previously described the entire endeavour as "a mess," with a vital income management component being delayed three times alone. The latest postponement was decided following a programme review, with the council citing a need for more extensive testing to ensure full functionality.
Impact on Staff and Political Fallout
Insiders have revealed that the relentless delays are taking a severe toll on staff morale and mental health within the council's finance and digital teams. The constant pressure and lack of clear deadlines are cited as major sources of stress, contributing to rapid staff turnover in key areas.
Politically, the delay has ignited fresh criticism. Labour's Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Cllr Saima Suleman, who has faced previous scrutiny over her technical oversight of the project, defended the move. She stated the decision "prioritises readiness and stability over fixed dates" and insisted a £40m contingency budget would cover any extra costs.
In sharp contrast, Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Roger Harmer condemned the news as "yet another failure by the current Labour administration," warning it would lead to further cost rises at a time the city can least afford it.
The council maintains that the delay does not affect current services, with colleagues and suppliers continuing to be paid through existing systems.
