To approve a four month trial of smart phone technology for use by up to ten local members to allow the council to assess the effectiveness of this technology in terms of risk to information security, support costs and potential for wider roll out.  The trial would be supported by Hoople and the democratic services team who will gather evidence and compile a report on the viability/affordability of a possible wider roll out of this technology by the council for use by local members.

That:

(a)         A four month time limited trial of up to ten smart phones is undertaken with up to ten local members to assess the value of smart phone technology to inform the council’s future Information Communication Technology (ICT) provision; and  

(b)        Up to ten smart phones are purchased with Hoople supported mobile device management systems as part of the trial at an expected cost of no more than £7.2k.

1.           Do something different: Undertake a desk based exercise.  This is not recommended as desk based research alone will not allow for evidence gathering from members directly or to practically assess the technology capabilities. However, as part of this trial other local authorities who provide similar technology to their members will be contacted and information gathered.  Assessment of the risks, opportunities and support costs has been undertaken through desk based research to set up this trial.  ‘In field’ information from members is required to inform the council about its own costs and risks if any further roll out of this service is considered.  

2.           Do nothing: Maintain the status quo where members currently use their lap-tops/crypto-cards to access their emails and internet/intranet.  This is a cost neutral option, but it fails to address a growing number of member’s requests to strengthen their remote working and access to emails via smart phone devices.  It also fails to address a wider interest that the council has to assess this technology as part of the potential future ICT provision offered by the council.