Agenda and minutes

Dr. R.K.A. Feltham CC – for the report on ICT for Members (Minute 61 refers).

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2004 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 36.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and (5).

There were no urgent items.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Resources outlining an ICT strategy for members following the County Council elections in May 2005.  A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes.

Arising from discussion, the following points were raised:

·                    The Committee expressed support in principle for the ICT strategy as outlined in the report but felt that the proposals in relation to e-mail access did not present an improvement to the current service members received and might, in some cases, make e-mail access more difficult.

·                    As the strategy would allow all members the opportunity to be provided with ICT equipment and Broadband access, the Committee felt that it was reasonable for members to accept that more information would be communicated electronically.  The increase in the use of electronic communications would generate savings, however, it was acknowledged these savings would be difficult to quantify.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That, subject to paragraph (b) below, the arrangements set out in the report be supported involving:-

(i)         the provision of a PC, printer and Broadband access to all members who wish to take up those facilities;

(ii)        access to County Council systems being via CITRIX;

(iii)       the funding of Broadband access from its chosen Internet Service Provider to all members who wish to access CITRIX using their own equipment; and

(iv)       the County Council only providing support where a PC, printer and Broadband access have been paid for and supplied by the County Council.

(b)       That, with regard to the proposals in the report relating to members access to e-mails sent to their County Council e-mail address, officers be requested to look into this matter further in the light of the comments now made and report back to a future meeting.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive seeking the Committee’s approval to a scale of expenses to be used at the County Council elections in May 2005. A copy of the report marked ‘C’ is filed with these minutes. A revised Appendix A to the report was circulated at the meeting, a copy of which is also filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED

That the recommended scales of election expenses as set out in the revised Appendix A to the report be approved.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive presenting the annual report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members’ Allowances and inviting the Committee to make recommendation to the County Council on proposals for a new scheme of allowances in the light of the contents of that report. Copies of the report and the report of the Independent Panel marked ‘D’ and ‘DD’ respectively are filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED

That the County Council be recommended to approve the recommendations as set out in the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members’ Allowances.

9 March 2005.                                                     CHAIRMAN

9.30 a.m. – 10.07 a.m.