Issue - meetings

Cabinet noted that the Corporate Performance Panel had considered the report and supported the recommendations.

RESOLVED:  1)         That each Elected Member be provided with either an iPad tablet or laptop after the 2023 elections

2)         That a 4G sim card can be provided in cases of poor connectivity, access to Microsoft Portal and where required a sim card to replace the current Council supplied mobile phone

3)         That if a 4G iPad or laptop sim card is provided the cost of this will be deducted from the Members ICT allowance

Reason for Decision

To ensure that Members have access to ICT with a secure and efficient solution that reflects up to date technical advancements and good practice

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The Assistant Director Resources presented the report which outlined a proposal to provide Members with an ICT solution following the 2023 Elections. It examined the pros and cons of the Ipad and laptops.

It set out the current provision of Members ICT equipment and presented the results of a questionnaire that was sent to all Elected Members during February 2023.   A slight majority of members indicated that they preferred a laptop over ipad.  The report also showed that the majority of members did not use the council issued mobile phone.  The report proposed that members be given the option of an ipad or laptop post election.  It was also suggested that a data sim card could be issued if broadband availability was an issue.

Cabinet noted that the Corporate Performance Panel had considered the report and supported the recommendations.

Councillor Blunt sought clarification if the sim card could be used for the laptop.  It was confirmed this could work in the same way as a sim card on a phone.  He also asked if remoting in by IT could be carried out for laptops when there were problems.  This was confirmed.

Councillor Middleton commented that with ongoing member support if training sessions would have to be doubled up, he referred to the Thinkpad solution used by County Council members.  It was confirmed that Ipad training would be carried out first, followed by laptop training for those that chose that option.

RESOLVED:   1)         That each Elected Member be provided with either an iPad tablet or laptop after the 2023 elections

2)         That a 4G sim card can be provided in cases of poor connectivity, access to Microsoft Portal and where required a sim card to replace the current Council supplied mobile phone

3)         That if a 4G iPad or laptop sim card is provided the cost of this will be deducted from the Members ICT allowance

Reason for Decision

To ensure that Members have access to ICT with a secure and efficient solution that reflects up to date technical advancements and good practice