PROBLEMS of transferring some confidential data between different council computer systems in Dorset has yet to be overcome.

A shadow Dorset Council committee heard that alternative plans were in place if it continued to be a problem and there was confidence in finding a solution by April when the new structures come into place.

Many of the records relate to users of social services whose details need to be transferred from existing areas to a new authority. Some will be to the new unitary Dorset Council based in Dorchester, others from existing authorities to the new Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole unitary.

Dorset Council’s programme change director Keith Cheesman said that the problems was not one which could be resolved by the local programme team.

He said the problem was around migration of data involving the BCP council supplier.

“To date it has been difficult to get hold of a clear plan – so it presents from clear challenges,” he told the shadow overview and scrutiny committee, meeting in Dorchester.

But interim transformation programme lead for adult and community services, Helen Coombes, said the chances of data not being moved was ‘virtually nil.’

“We have a series of options and they are all workable,” she told the committee, “We will be able to transfer data but some are easier than others.

“In essence social workers will have the information they need on April 1st,” she said.