To consider Cabinet’s response to the recommendations made to it in the Scrutiny Review of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Services.

The Committee considered Cabinet’s response to the recommendations made to it in the Scrutiny Review of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Services. 

The review had been approved by the Committee in November 2008 and Cabinet had considered its response to the findings on 19 February 2009. 

The interim Head of ICT Services (IHICT) presented the report.  He informed the Committee that since Cabinet had approved its response to the review, advice had been received from Human Resources on review recommendations v and w relating to recruitment of staff and reimbursement of training costs by employees who left the Council.  Conditions in the job market had changed since the review had been published making it easier to recruit to some posts.   Market supplements continued to be applied where that was necessary.  A study leave policy was being prepared that would address the issue of reimbursement of training costs.

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

·         Asked about the encryption of laptops and memory sticks the IHICT confirmed that it was intended to encrypt all mobile ICT devices.  Tests were currently being carried out prior to implementing the policy.  At this stage he could not confirm an implementation date but would inform the Committee of this, once agreed.

·         Replying to a question about progress in joint working between health and social care the IHICT said that it was a complex national issue.  There was no single ICT system available that would adequately cater for all health and social care requirements, however, standard “message sets” for exchanging information between systems were being defined and developed at national level and were planned to be in place by April 2010.  Locally, direct access to health care systems and social care systems for professionals from either organisation was available arranged on a case by case basis. 

·         Asked about links with Welsh ICT systems given the number of cross-border patients the IHICT said that these were less than ideal and although there are some high-level working groups on this subject, it is not an immediate priority on either side of the border.  However, the work on the national message sets should  be transferable.

·         Assurance was sought on the appropriateness of the arrangements for information sharing between health and social care having regard to failures in Haringey that had led to the death of “baby P”.  The IHICT observed that human interaction was more important than a technological solution and the development of integrated health and social care teams under the Herefordshire Public Services partnership provided grounds for reassurance.

·         In reply to a question about progress in providing Broadband to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate the IHICT said that discussions were continuing with British Telecom (BT).  Wales and the West Midlands formed one BT region and at the moment provision in Herefordshire was seen as the second highest priority in that region.  However, BT was a commercial organisation and determined its investment priorities on that basis.  The Council would, however, have the opportunity to press its case.

·         Asked if the review had identified any issues of which the ICT Service had been unaware the IHICT said that the review had been useful in producing a report that consolidated the many issues facing the service.  It had also been right to highlight the critical importance of the two key infrastructure projects:  the replacement Data Centre and the Community Network Upgrade.  He agreed to update Members of the Committee on progress with the replacement Data Centre on which he received weekly updates.

·         The resilience of the proposed data centre arrangements and business continuity planning was discussed.  The IHICT said that the proposed arrangements were in line with other similar Health and Local Government authorities.

·         A question was asked about implementation of two of the recommendations from the 2006 scrutiny review of ICT Services, progress against which had been reported as part of the 2008 review.  The first related to the transfer of responsibility for management of all ICT staff within the authority.  The IHICT said that some staff with ICT responsibilities continued to be line managed within the Children’s Services directorate.  However, discussions continued with the Children’s Services directorate to ensure ICT related work was viewed corporately.

The second related to the enforcement of procurement policies and procedures.  The Director of Resources said that management training had addressed issues of compliance.  The procurement section was small and work continued with the West Midlands Centre for Excellence and the Primary Care Trust to develop capacity.  Interim postings were currently being used.  He was satisfied, however, that the arrangements in place were fit for purpose.  The IHICT added that a recent review by the Internal Audit Service had found arrangements to be satisfactory.

·         It was asked whether the ICT needs of the electoral registration service were being met.  It was noted that a procedure was in place requiring a business case to be made for any ICT requests.

RESOLVED:

That    (a)     Cabinet’s response to the findings of the review of the support for ICT Services be approved; and

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