Agenda item

Members received an overview of the work undertaken by the Members’ IT Reference Group, which included an update on the implementation of the software system Mod.Gov.

In particular, it was noted that

·       the e mail notification had been switched on, allowing Members to be advised that a report pack had been published and was available to view either through Mod.Gov or on the Website;

·       the Mod.Gov. App had been rolled out to a trial number of Members, which would allow them to access public Committee papers on the iPad - access to private reports would be available in due course via a separately purchase licence;

·       feedback from the Members’ IT Reference Group would be reported to the next meeting of Committee;

·       the availability of equipment within the Democratic Services Section allowing Members access to advice on problems or issues relating to the new system;

·       the switching on of the Members attendance/apologies statistics, which would in turn provide information to Members for inclusion within their Annual Reports.

·       In relation to the rolling out of ipads to both Members and Officers, Committee was advised that it was important to test the system/equipment thoroughly prior to the roll out in order to minimise any issue that could arise.

Members then responded as follows:

The recording of Members’ apologies on the Mod.Gov system was questioned.  Officers agreed to look at this again and update Members at the next meeting.  In relation to recording the percentage of attendance at meetings, it was noted that the system would be checked to ensure cancelled meetings were not included in the figures.

Members asked whether the Mod.Gov app would be available on iphones, but were advised that the app would only be available on ipads.

Generally Members were pleased with the new software , although there had been a few teething problems but these had been dealt with by Officers.  Some Members expressed the view that papers were easier to read on the ipad. 

It was felt that all Members should be provided with the link to access all papers, including private reports, whether they sat on the meeting or not.  In response the Head of Legal Services gave Committee a brief overview of the legal position in relation thereto. 

The Head of Corporate Strategy and Democratic Services advised Committee that the Members’ IT Scheme would also be reviewed in order to take into account the use of ipads by Members.

Following the discussion Members agreed that the new use of the Mod.Gov software was the way forward, both in terms of efficiency and also in contributing to the savings required in the Forward Financial Plan.