Agenda and minutes

(Head of Research and Democratic Services)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

No substitutes had been appointed.

(Head of Research and Democratic Services). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

No declarations were made.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Panel and associated Work Programme. This is attached. The Panel are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

The current position with the work programme was noted.

To consider the minutes of the meetings held on 18 July and 8 August 2005 (attached).

The notes of the meetings held on 18 July and 8 August were noted.

(ICT and Corporate Support Services Portfolio Holder/ Senior Democratic Services Officer) To consider the attached report and Scheme.

The Panel received a presentation from Simon Hill, Research and Democratic Services, Project Manager of the Member Connectivity Scheme, on the proposals to connect members to the Council’s network.

The Panel noted the proposed scheme and the proposals to pay members an additional sum to purchase and maintain their own computers. It was also noted that it was intended that this sum would be paid to those had signed up to the scheme quarterly and in the first year, those who had signed up by December 2005 would receive all the first years payment in January 2006.

It was noted that the implementation phase for the scheme would be the period January to March 2006 with new members in May being connected on election. All councillor would be connected by March 2007.

Under the scheme members would be required to have a computer that could connect to the Internet via broadband and an email address for notification.

A full presentation on the scheme would be made to members priori to Council on 27 September 2005

The Panel considered that there was the need to have graduated training to take account of the varying levels of experience of the members expressed through their competency questionnaires and that these should be structured sessions using the council’s IT Training Suite.

The Panel also considered that these courses should form part of the annual Member Training Programme.

Recommended:

(1)        That appropriate training sessions for members be arranged on the use and connection to the Council’s systems;

(2)        That these courses should form part of the annual Member Training Programme

(ICT and CSS Portfolio Holder) To consider a proposed Cabinet Report on E-Procurement.

The Panel noted the need to address a procurement strategy under the Improvement Plan. They considered a proposed report to the Cabinet on E-procurement and made the following observations on that report.

(1) The Panel suggested the addition of the words ‘where they provide best value’ to the end of recommendation (1) of the report (relating to the proposed recommendations made by the National e-Procurement Project (NePP));

(2) The Panel’s view was that it is premature to consider the appointment of a Procurement Analyst at this time. This was on the basis of:

(i) The benefits of entering into the EMP were as yet unknown and should be implemented to ascertain areas in which further analysis might be required;

(ii) From a review by officers, it was considered that the large number of ‘procurements’ through the system would be of low value in terms of the council’s overall turnover but high volume and staff time intensive.

The Panel are therefore suggested that this appointment be deferred at this time but that it be considered again for the 2007/08 budget (after EMP implementation).

To consider which reports are ready to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting.

(a)            Members Connectivity Scheme; and

(b)       E-procurement report and receommendations.

To consider the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel.

Agreed that a date for the next meeting would be arranged in November 2005.