MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 19 JUNE 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr G S Kendall (Chairman), Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P D Joyce, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mr G P Price, Mr R A Sutton, Mr D T Yates

Apologies :

Mr I R Stephens,

Portfolio Holder :

Mr R R Barry

 10.      MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2002 be confirmed.

11.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made at this stage

12.      SCRUTINY SESSION ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Members asked questions mainly relating to the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy for 2000-2005.

The Chairman indicated that the Select Committee had the opportunity of scrutinising issues relating to Information and Communications Technology. Members would be able to question the Portfolio Holder and the Head of ICT, Mr D Price.

As background the Select Committee had received the relevant National Performance Indicators, ICT Best Value Improvement Plan and the ICT Strategy.

The Select Committee raised a wide range of issues connected with the Council’s ICT Strategy. In particular clarification was sought on :

           ●          The Authority’s expenditure on ICT

           ●          The number of staff employed

           ●          Efficiency savings through increased use of ICT

           ●          More effective service delivery through usage of ICT

           ●          Incorporation of Town/Parish Councils into the Council’s ICT systems

Arising from the information provided by the Portfolio Holder and the Head of ICT the Select Committee considered that a number of issues required further examination at a later meeting.

These were :-

           ●          Costings of efficiency savings through the introduction of ICT

           ●          Incorporation of Town/parish Councils into the Council ICT systems

           ●          Annual review of ICT Strategic Plan together with costing

           ●          Consideration of ICT Procurement

RESOLVED :

THAT a further report be invited from the Portfolio Holder and Head of ICT on the areas highlighted by the Select Committee as requiring further examination.

12       GRANTS TASK GROUP UPDATE

(During the Debate Mr G P Price declared a personal interest as the Chairman of the Parkhurst Community Partnership and Mr M J Cunningham declared a personal interest as a Director of the Riverside Trust and member of the Home Start Management Committee)

The Chairman of the Task Group updated the Select Committee on the groups latest progress. Background Papers were circulated which set out proposals to establish a Corporate Fund Finding Officer post. Terms of the post were discussed. It was agreed that the Committee would ask the Task Group to report back with further proposals regarding the conditions and terms of employment. It was thought that the post would secure additional funding to support and improve existing Council Services.

It was also proposed that the Rural Community Council (RCC) would be well placed to assess and evaluate central grants to voluntary and community groups. The application of establishing the outsourcing of central grant funding to the RCC was outlined. The cost of this service would be £500 per annum and would be incorporated into the 2003/06 Service Level Agreement.

RESOLVED :

           (a)       THAT a Corporate Fund Finding Post be established and further proposals on the terms and conditions of the post be brought back to the Select Committee’s meeting in August 2002.

           (b)       THAT a further update from the Task Group on remaining issues relating to grants be brought to the Select Committee in September 2002.

           (c)       THAT the assessment and evaluation of central grant funding be outsourced to the RCC at the cost of £500 which would be incorporated in to the SLA for 2003/06.

13.      INTERNAL AUDIT PLAN 2002/03

           The Select Committee received the report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Information and County Treasurer which outlined the Council’s Internal Audit Plan for the year 2002/03. The Audit function sought to provide coverage of Council activities and address perceived risks. Members received a presentation which detailed the role of the Audit function within the Council.

It was explained that the Strategic Plan for 2001-2007 and the Plan for 2002/03 were the result of extensive risk assessments and consultation during 2001. The Plan for 2002/03 was a response to emerging priorities. The function was currently understaffed and this was managed by prioritising by means of risk assessments

In discussion Members agreed that the Committee would establish an Audit Panel to oversee and support the function.

RESOLVED :

THAT an Audit Panel be established and be asked to comment on the Audit Plan for 2002/03 and report back to the Select Committee.

14.      NOTES OF AN INFORMAL MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE’S HELD ON THURSDAY, 23 MAY 2002 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER COMMENCING AT 10 AM

RESOLVED :

THAT it be noted

15.      FORWARD PLAN

RESOLVED :

THAT the Forward Plan be noted.

16.      MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

A question was put to the Chairman as follows :

Mr M Cunningham asked a question on behalf of the Chairman of the Market Traders Federation in relation to the relocation of the Newport Market (MQ44/02).

A copy of the question and reply given is contained in the Members’ Question Register.

CHAIRMAN