To consider the final report of the scrutiny review of Information and Communication Technology Services.

The Committee considered the final report of the scrutiny review of Information and Communication Technology Services.

The review report had been enclosed separately for Members of the Committee.

Councillor Bowen, Chairman of the Review Group, presented the report commending it to the Committee as a fair and concise report.  He thanked members of the Review Group, those who had attended to be interviewed by the Group and officers who had supported the review.  He expressed the hope that the Executive would respond promptly to the report.

The Interim Deputy Chief Executive said that there was a strong link between several of the findings and recommendations of the Review Group and actions that were, in parallel, being progressed by the Executive.  The review provided a useful reassurance in these respects.

He cautioned that there were some practical issues in relation to those recommendations that had human resources implications that might limit the flexibility of the Executive in its response.

The Cabinet Member (Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources) reflected on the necessity of adhering to the single status agreement but acknowledged the issues raised in the report about human resources, to which the Executive would give a considered response.

The Head of ICT who had taken up post in September 2008 recorded his thanks to his predecessor as Head of Service, Geoff Cole.  He said that Mr Cole had put some firm foundations in place and acted with integrity in taking over management of the ICT service in what had been very difficult circumstances.  The findings of the review were consistent with his own observations, notably those on the need for the replacement data centre, the need to incorporate Primary Care Trust and wider NHS requirements into account in the Community Network upgrade, data security and disaster recovery.

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

·         Disappointment was expressed that the issue of failure to comply with procurement policies, highlighted in a recommendation in the first ICT review completed in 2006, remained of sufficient concern to generate a further recommendation in the 2008 report. 

The Cabinet Member (Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources) acknowledged that this was a frustration and it was important that this was highlighted to the Executive and the Joint Management Team.

The Director of Resources reported that the need for compliance with all approved policies was shortly to be emphasised in the Council and PCT wide team brief.  Internal Audit’s work plan included a high level look at such compliance.

·         It was asked why the average salary in ICT services was higher than the Council average.  The Cabinet Member (Corporate and Customer Services and Human Resources) said that this was a reflection of a market place in which there was strong competition for ICT skills

·         The provision of ICT Services to schools was discussed, noting that the review report said that the aspiration of the 2006 review that ICT services should be the preferred provider of services to schools funded and maintained by the local authority, was not now thought to be attainable.  Members of the Review Group agreed that the relationship with schools was still patchy but noted that ICT services did have services from which schools could benefit, such as the major upgrade to broadband provision.

·         A Member of the Review Group emphasised the improvement in the culture of ICT Services since the 2006 Review and paid tribute to the leadership of Geoff Cole in effecting this transformation.

RESOLVED: 

THAT (a)        that the findings of the review of Information, Communication and Technology services be agreed for submission to the Cabinet;

(b)       the Executive's response to the Review including an action plan be reported to the first available meeting of the Committee after the Executive had approved its response; and

(c)        a further report on progress in response to the Review then be made after six months with consideration then being given to the need for any further reports to be made.