To report progress on implementing the Executive's action plan.

The Committee considered progress in implementing the Executive’s action plan.

The Acting Head of Service (ICT and Customer Services) presented the report.  This provided an update on progress made since the executive’s response had been presented to the Committee on 30th March, 2007.  The Acting Head of Service commented on progress against each recommendation as set out in the report.

In the course of discussion the following principal points were made:

·         Questioned about procurement of ICT equipment outside the approved arrangements through ICT Services the Acting Head of Service said that he was not aware of this now being an issue.  Schools had the freedom to procure as they wished, but this did not provide them with the four year warranty and security of support afforded to them by procuring through ICT Services.

·         The Cabinet Member (Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources) reminded the Committee of previous discussions about the role of Members in enforcing disciplinary procedures in respect of procurement.  The Director of Corporate and Customer Services reported that in consultation with Human Resources a number of related policies had been refreshed, for example internet usage.

·         It was asked whether the relationship with schools had improved.  The Director of Corporate and Customer Services replied that quarterly meetings were being held and she considered that the relationship was improving.  She outlined progress in developing remote access for schools whilst noting that complex issues remained to be resolved.  Progress was reviewed at the quarterly meetings.  Service Level Agreements with schools had been issued on time, following consultation.

·         Asked about ICT staffing the Acting Head of Service confirmed that the need for all permanent posts had been reviewed.  The current structure was now considered adequate to deliver the service.

·         A question was asked about three reviews to which the report appeared to refer:  the work to a standard framework used by Red Island (the specialist agency) in relation to information security accreditation, a physical audit of ICT hardware across the authority, and work on desktop standardisation; and whether there was an inventory of all equipment.  The Acting Head of Service replied that following the introduction of a procurement process in 2005 there was a good record of equipment.  There was no record prior to that other than that which had been compiled in preparation for the millennium.  The Director of Corporate and Customer Services added that the reviews referred to were not three separate reviews but interrelated pieces of work designed to establish clearly what equipment was held and move towards standardisation.

·         Asked about the ICT Services budget the Acting Head of Service replied that work was ongoing to achieve a balanced budget by the year end.  The Director of Corporate and Customer Services added that Service Level Agreements had been rolled out across all directorates.  A zero based budgeting exercise had also been completed.  Standardisation of desktops was an important element of reducing costs.  Directorates would be charged for the number of desktops supported.

·         The interlinkage of accommodation plans with ICT development was noted.

·         The current arrangements for recycling used equipment were also discussed, noting that the contract with a voluntary sector organisation might need to be revisited to ensure that any joint arrangements with the primary Care Trust could also be accommodated.

RESOLVED

That    (a)            the report be noted;

                        and

            (b)    a further update be reported to the Committee in 3 months time.