Agendas, reports and minutes

Digital First
Digital First

(a) Digital First Programme
Prògram Digital First

Declarations of Interest – Mr K Gowans declared a non-financial interest in this item as a Director of High Life Highland Limited, but having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

There was circulated Report No RES/21/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which set out the Digital First programme, which would deliver£1.3m savings over the next four years as agreed in the budget on 18 December 2014. The outcome of the Digital First programme was that all customers would have access to Highland Council’s services on-line, with at least 40% of transactions carried out online by April 2017. This would be delivered through redesigning processes, increasing the availability of online services and encouraging more customers to access council services digitally.

The Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development acknowledged that a recent Council press release issued in connection with the Digital First Programme might have been misleading in terms of the current level of on-line activity. In this regard she provided updated figures for the previous year, noting that approximately 17% (82,000) of contact with customers had taken place on-line. Face to face contacts accounted for approximately 43% (207,000) of transactions and telephone contacts 40% (189,000) of transactions.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• that the report should also recognise that many people who possessed the appropriate skills to access services on-line continued to prefer to have face to face contact;
• issues around the Council’s engagement with partners such as High Life Highland and Citizens Online to provide training and support to communities and individuals to use digital services; in this regard it was confirmed that a report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee containing proposals to allocate funding from the welfare reform fund to Citizens Online for this purpose; and
• that the individual Groups would be asked to submit their nominations for Digital Champions in due course.

The Committee:-

i. AGREED the Digital First principles;
ii. AGREED that up to six Member Digital Champions be nominated;
iii. AGREED £138,000 be allocated from the Strategic Change & Development Fund to fund the cost of two temporary officers to work within the project team; and
iv. NOTED the outcomes, activity and benefits to be delivered by the Digital First Programme.

(b) Website Review Report *
Làrach-lìn– Measadh Sia Mìosan

There was circulated Report No RES/22/15 dated 10 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided an update on the current status of the website and an analysis of recent survey results from the Communities and Citizens Panels, following the launch of the new Highland Council Website in July 2014.

During discussion, Members raised the following points:-

• that the customer research detailed in the report showed that 61% of the Citizen’s Panel who visited the Highland Council’s website, did so to access contact details for Council Services; however this did not mean that all of those customers were accessing services on-line as had been suggested in a recent Council press release on the Digital First Programme; in this regard it was important that there was absolute clarity around the statistics being used to avoid any misleading assumptions being drawn from the available data in regard to the level and nature of on-line activity particularly in the context of the ongoing customer services review;
• it would be useful to investigate the potential for information to be provided in regard to the location from which members of the public were accessing the Council’s website; and
• that the ongoing development of the new website was delivering significant improvements and the increasingly positive feedback being received should be welcomed.

The Committee NOTED the report and AGREED the necessary actions to be taken to improve the website further and to respond to feedback.

 * At the Highland Council meeting held on 12 March 2015, it was clarified that while the report for this item contained an inaccuracy at paragraph 2.2.2 the correct information had been included in the Appendix to the report.

19. Gender Equalities in Employment
Co-ionannachdan Gnè ann an Cosnadh 2015

There was circulated Report No RES/23/15 dated 6 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided an update on the Highland Council’s gender equal pay gap and Women in Management activities, and sought approval to publish information in order to meet the duties of the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012.

During discussion, Members raised the following issues:-

• that the improvements achieved to date and the positive actions set out in the report should be welcomed; however it was important to continue to deliver improvements to achieve gender equality in employment in the Highlands;
• in regard to the above consideration be given to gender equality being included as an update in the Programme for the Council on the basis that it was considered as a high priority by Members across the Council and with a view to delivering the required improvements in as short a timeframe as possible;
• that ongoing work with the University of the Highlands and Islands was important in ensuring more young women were able to access opportunities in fields such as science and engineering;
• that the opportunities to influence other public and private organisations in the Highlands be considered to ensure that the workforce in the Highlands comprised the best mix of people;
• the risks associated with not taking action to close the gender gap should be emphasised in terms of the impact on the economy and wider society in the Highlands;
• clarification was sought around the comparator figures used to calculate the part time gender pay gap as set out in the report;
• that there was a need to address the gender gap in teaching and a question was asked in regard to the action being taken to support and encourage prospective female candidates to secure head and deputy head teacher posts in schools; in his response the HR Manager advised that he would provide Mr R Laird with further information in regard to the online learning resource being developed for teaching and non-teaching staff in this regard;
• the importance of removing barriers to career progression for women and the action being taken to encourage flexible and part time working practices in middle and senior management to ensure female candidates were not disbarred from applying for such posts; and
• that the issue of gender equality also be taken forward with the Community Planning Partnership.

The Committee:-

i. NOTED improvements in the statistics relating to the gender pay gap and AGREED that these be published on 30 April 2015;
ii. NOTED actions being taken under the Women in Management Programme;
iii. AGREED a joint working group with the trade unions to carry out a review of gender equality action plans and sustain improvement; and
iv. AGREED that consideration be given to an update on this item being included in the Programme for the Council and also to the issue being taken forward with the Community Planning Partnership.

20. Information Management Strategy and Policy Framework Annual Review
Ro-innleachd Rianachd Fiosrachaidh agus Ath-sgrùdadh air Frèam Poileasaidh Rianachd Fiosrachaidh

There was circulated Report No RES/24/15 dated 10 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which provided Members with information on the annual review of the Information Management Strategy for 2013-2017 and a range of policies that made up the Information Management Policy Framework. It also provided an update on progress made in implementing the Information Management Strategy.

The Committee NOTED the update on the strategic initiatives andAPPROVED the updated Information Management Strategy 2013-2017 and Policies.

21. Annual Review of ICT Acceptable Use Policy
Ath-sgrùdadh air Poileasaidh Cleachdadh TFC ris a Bheilear Deònach Gabhail

There was circulated Report No RES/25/15 dated 10 February 2015 by the Depute Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Development which informed Members of the proposed changes arising from the annual review of the Council’s ICT Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and requested Members to consider and approve the revised ICT Acceptable Use Policy.

The Committee:-

i. NOTED the proposed changes to the ICT Acceptable Use Policy following the annual review; and
ii. APPROVED the ICT Acceptable Use Policy.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S OFFICE
OIFIS AN ÀRD-OIFIGEIR

22. Chief Executive’s Office and Members Revenue Monitoring to 31 December 2014
Sgrùdadh Teachd-a-steach Oifis an Àrd-Oifigeir agus nam Ball gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There was circulated Report No RES/26/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Chief Executive which provided information on the revenue monitoring position for the Chief Executive’s Office for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 December 2014.

The Committee NOTED the revenue monitoring report for the period 1 April 2014 to December 2014.

23. Chief Executive’s Office Capital Budget Expenditure Monitoring to 31 December 2014
Sgrùdadh Calpa Oifis an Àrd-Oifigeir gu 31 Dùbhlachd 2014

There was circulated Report No RES/27/15 dated 12 February 2015 by the Chief Executive which set out the position for the Chief Executive’s Office 2014/15 capital budget for the period to 31 December 2014.

The Committee NOTED the capital monitoring report for the period to 31 December 2014.

COMMUNITY SERVICES
SEIRBHEISEAN COIMHEARSNACHD

24. Health and Safety Executive: Improvement Notices
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
Roinn-ghnìomha na Slàinte is Sàbhailteachd: Brathan Leasachaidh
Riaghailtean Smachd air Crith aig an Obair 2005

There was circulated Report No RES/28/15 dated 11 February 2015 by the Director of Community Services which provided an update on the Improvement Notices served on The Highland Council on 30 January 2015 with respect to three contraventions of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.

The Committee NOTED the contents of the report and the action plan.

MINUTES OF MEETINGS
GEÀRR-CHUNNTAS COINNEIMH

25. Minutes of Meetings
Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan

The Committee:-

i. NOTED the Minutes of the Appeals Committee held on 4 and 8 December 2014 and 12 February 2015;
ii. NOTED the Minutes of the Early Retirement Sub-Committee held on 25 November and 10 December 2014;
iii. APPROVED the Minutes of the Highland Council Staff Partnership Forum – Elected Members/Staff Side Group held on 6 February 2015;
iv. APPROVED the Minutes of the Central Safety Committee held on 6 February 2015; and
v. NOTED the Minutes of the Non-Domestic Rates Appeals Committee held on 13 February 2015.

26. Exclusion of The Public
Às-dùnadh a’ Phobaill

The Committee RESOLVED that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
SEIRBHEIS AN LEASACHAIDH CHORPORRA

27. ICT Executive Board: Minutes of Meeting
Bòrd-gnìomha TFC: Geàrr-chunntas Coinneimh

The Minutes of Meeting of the ICT Executive Board (Members) held on 10 February 2015 were circulated to Members only and APPROVED.

DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
LEASACHADH AGUS BUN-STRUCTAR

28. Land and Property
Talamh agus Taigheadas

Declarations of Interest - Mrs H Carmichael and Mr H Wood declared a non-financial interest in this item as Directors of Inverness Leisure and Mr K Gowans declared a non-financial interest in this item as a director of High Life Highland Limited and a financial interest as his wife was an employee of High Life Highland Limited but having applied the test outlined in Paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct, concluded that their interests did not preclude them from taking part in the discussion.

There was circulated to Members only Report No RES/29/15 dated 3 February 2015 by the Director of Development and Infrastructure which sought approval for a number of land and property transactions as outlined in the report.

In discussion Members suggested that the Care and Learning Service be consulted on potential uses as part of the options appraisal for Council properties.

Thereafter, the Committee AGREED:-

i. the recommendations as set out in the report; and
ii. that the Care and Learning Service be consulted as part of the options appraisal in regard to potential property transactions.

The meeting ended at 3.00 pm.