Issue - meetings

That Cabinet approves the following recommendations:

(i)         That a similar policy to that currently applied to officers be implemented to also cover Member email accounts and that the use of Borough Council email by all elected Borough Council Members for council business be made mandatory

(ii)        That the practice of printing off and sending on elected Members’ emails cease

(iii)       That the Members’ weekly courier service be ceased. Instead, Members will be required to use either electronic means to access committee papers in future, or will be required to visit the Civic Offices to pick up their printed papers. The Council will continue to encourage all Members to use appropriate available technology and will offer the necessary training for Members to use this technology.

(iv)       That, following the May 2015 Borough Council elections, all newly elected Members are issued with a tablet device to receive their minutes, agendas and emails to replace the current printed pack service

(v)        That those Members due for re-election post May 2015 be given the option of using a tablet device instead of the current printed pack system until the end of their current term.

The Leader introduced a report requesting Members to consider methods of delivering information to Members more effectively and efficiently, in light of the findings of the recent Members Digital Technology (Tablet) Trial and to present a set of recommendations based on those findings and other analysis.

The Leader thanked the Member Development Panel and those involved in the tablet trial for the work undertaken. The Leader also outlined some additional comments that had been fed back to him by the Chair of the Member Development Panel and highlighted that full, comprehensive training and support would be provided to all elected members should the recommendations be agreed.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources outlined the final implications detailed in the report.

Resolved:

That Cabinet approves the following recommendations:

(i)         That a similar policy to that currently applied to officers be implemented to also cover Member email accounts and that the use of Borough Council email by all elected Borough Council Members for council business be made mandatory

(ii)        That the practice of printing off and sending on elected Members’ emails cease

(iii)       That the Members’ weekly courier service be ceased. Instead, Members will be required to use either electronic means to access committee papers in future, or will be required to visit the Civic Offices to pick up their printed papers. The Council will continue to encourage all Members to use appropriate available technology and will offer the necessary training for Members to use this technology.

(iv)       That, following the May 2015 Borough Council elections, all newly elected Members are issued with a tablet device to receive their minutes, agendas and emails to replace the current printed pack service

(v)        That those Members due for re-election post May 2015 be given the option of using a tablet device instead of the current printed pack system until the end of their current term.