Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Corporate Services

RESOLVED THAT

1.     the Members’ ICT Policy as set out in Appendix 2 be endorsed and publicised to all Members, thereby demonstrating Cabinet’s support for the move to paperless meetings

2.     the recommendations in respect of Members signing up to the policy before accepting a council iPad (including the retrospective requirements) should be implemented by Democratic Services Manager

3.     the recommendation regarding encouraging Members to participate in training and development designed to enhance their use of ICT equipment and applications provided be taken forward by the Cabinet Member Corporate Services in liaison with ICT and Democratic Services

4.     the recommendation regarding Members’ ICT provision being kept under review in order to take advantage of new developments in technology be taken forward by the Cabinet Member Corporate Services in liaison with ICT and Democratic Services.  In addition this should include ensuring that all Members have access to a common set of facilities and applications on their Council iPad by offering updates to Members when new facilities are available.

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services introduced the report which had reviewed further issues following the Overview and Scrutiny's report to Cabinet on 10th February. He explained that the issues reviewed were as follows :

1)on-going training for existing and future members - developed to ensure all members are made sufficiently aware of opportunities to enhance their use of ICT equipment

2) equalities - an equality impact assessment had been carried out to identify options to provide adapted iPads or larger print/Braille to suit needs

3) taking advantage of new developments in technology- by constantly reviewing updates, provision of suitable and appropriate applications, and access to common set of facilities.

He highlighted that the report detailed that any change in communications technology came at a cost and that ongoing funding was necessary to meet both current and future demand.

The Cabinet Member reiterated that the prime purpose of this policy was to set out clearly what was being provided for Members in terms of ICT and the expectation placed on them with regard to the loan of a Council iPad and the move to paperless meetings which in turn would generate sufficient savings by reducing the need for printed hard copies of Cabinet/Council and other committee agendas and reports.

Finally the Cabinet Member took the opportunity to thank O&S and the dedicated Scrutiny Task Group for their work in overviewing the original substance of this policy.

RESOLVED THAT

1.     the Members’ ICT Policy as set out in Appendix 2 be endorsed and publicised to all Members, thereby demonstrating Cabinet’s support for the move to paperless meetings

2.     the recommendations in respect of Members signing up to the policy before accepting a council iPad (including the retrospective requirements) should be implemented by Democratic Services Manager

3.     the recommendation regarding encouraging Members to participate in training and development designed to enhance their use of ICT equipment and applications provided be taken forward by the Cabinet Member Corporate Services in liaison with ICT and Democratic Services

4.     the recommendation regarding Members’ ICT provision being kept under review in order to take advantage of new developments in technology be taken forward by the Cabinet Member Corporate Services in liaison with ICT and Democratic Services.  In addition this should include ensuring that all Members have access to a common set of facilities and applications on their Council iPad by offering updates to Members when new facilities are available.