Agenda item

·          Notes from the meetings of the working group on 22^nd September 2005 and 20^th October 2005.

·          Notes from the meeting on 8^th November 2005 and a report from the working group on members training and broadband for members will be circulated at the meeting.

(Enclosures)

Members had before them notes from the meetings of the Members’ IT Working Group on 22^nd September and 20^th October 2005. Notes from the meeting held on 8^th November 2005 were circulated at the meeting. Councillor Nadarajah, the lead member of the working group, highlighted the recommendations contained within the notes, which were discussed by the panel.

The new system being rolled out on members’ laptops was highly praised as a simple interface for members. Councillor Nadarajah commented on the high standard of the IT helpdesk but members considered that there should be an evening provision, to which Councillor Nadarajah stated that he would look into this. The recommendation concerning training prompted some discussion on what members thought would be the best training solution. It was agreed that those in the recommendation were sufficient. It was suggested that members should only be sent the frontsheet but this was not possible as members were allowed to request full paper copies. The recommendation concerning broadband was also supported as this would provide a comprehensive desktop support for members, facilitate a better service for constituents through their ward member, reduce printing costs for agendas and assist in the expediting of information.

Conclusions:

(1)   That the following be recommended to the Access and Engagement Portfolio Holder:

(a)   To support the implementation of the new menu style interface for members’ laptops;

(b)  To recognise that individual councillors have their own problems with using their laptops and therefore need addressing individually;

(c)   To encourage members to write out or print error messages to assist in the communication to ICT of problems with laptops;

(d)  To approve that members of the Members’ IT Working Group contact those members who did not respond to the 2005 Laptop Survey and approach them individually by setting up a meeting with the members and an appointed mentor from the working group.

(e)   That training for members on the use of ICT be provided through a structured portfolio of training options to cater for the variety of training needs. This to include:

§         One on one training

§         Small groups

§         Self study CDROMS with video demonstrations

§         IT Buddies (with support)

§         Supported learning playdays

§         An integrated learning approach to training e.g. ‘laptop month’

[Priority be given to those members with most difficulties in using their laptop and new users. Level of previous training will not affect the prioritisation of future training.

Training to be provided, where possible and suitable, on days when committee meetings are scheduled to enable members to attend both in one visit to the council offices].

(2)   That the following response be made to Cabinet on its Broadband for Members proposals: