Issue - meetings

The Chair of the Scrutiny Task Group Members ICT will present this item

RESOLVED THAT

The recommendations of the Scrutiny Task Group be noted and that a report outlining Cabinet’s detailed response be brought back to a future meeting of Cabinet.

The Chair of Scrutiny, Councillor Tim Harman, introduced the report which had been considered by Overview and Scrutiny at its meeting on 12 January 2015. He explained that whilst there remained some training issues for some Members the move to Ipads had been a success and was saving money. Cllr Babbage added that a commitment to the draft policy was now being sought by Cabinet.

In response the Cabinet Member Corporate Services thanked the ICT scrutiny task group for its report. He commented that the Ipad pilot had been introduced following problems members were experiencing with Citrix and it was rolled out to new members following the elections in May 2014. He reported that the pilot had been a resounding success and personally supported the draft policy which he felt helped members to understand what was being provided and their personal commitments.  He highlighted that the cost of printing committee papers was about £100 per member per annum and highlighted the importance of generating savings to fund the future purchase and replacement of iPads.  

Cabinet felt there were some issues to follow up in relation to training and equality so noted the scrutiny report at this stage and undertook to bring back a Cabinet response to the recommendations in the form of a Cabinet report as soon as practicable.

The Leader thanked the STG for its useful contribution. He highlighted the balance that needed to be struck between all Councillors being able to perform their role and being effective and efficient at the same time.

RESOLVED THAT

The recommendations of the Scrutiny Task Group be noted and that a report outlining Cabinet’s detailed response be brought back to a future meeting of Cabinet.