Issue - meetings

To seek approval on the proposed ICT Policies for Officers and Members (report of the Portfolio Holder (Corporate and Communications), and the Assistant Director (Corporate) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate, which sought approval on the proposed ICT Polices for Officers and Members.  The Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) provided an overview to the report. 

DECISION:

That the following ICT policies (appended to the report) be agreed:

·         Employee and Member Access Policy;

·         Removable Media Policy;

·         Remote Working Policy;

·         Third Party Access Policy;

·         Systems Acquisition, Development and Deployment Policy

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing.  Not considered as the existing ICT Policy set requires review.

Reasons for decision:

·         To ensure the Council’s ICT Policies are up to date and reflect best practice.)

To seek the Policy Development Panel’s views on the proposed ICT Policies for Officers and Members (report of the Assistant Director – Corporate enclosed).

The Panel considered the report of the Assistant Director – Corporate to seek the Policy Development Panel’s views on the proposed ICT Policies for Officers and Members.

The Assistant Director – Corporate introduced the report and raised the following main points:

• the current suite of 14 policies had been adopted in 2016 and a fundamental review had been necessary to ensure ICT compliance in line with best practice;
• the report proposed a new suite of 5 ICT policies for comment by the Panel, before going forward to Cabinet on 26 April 2022;
• the policies had been presented to the ICT Councillor Working Group which had not raised any concerns; minor amendments regarding points of clarity were being made;
• the policies were adopted by Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council in 2021, and a common suite of policies for shared managers across the whole S&ELCP was deemed beneficial; and
• the opportunity existed for members of each authority to shape their respective member-based ICT area.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members thanked the Head of ICT and Digital (PSPS) for the work on the new policies.

• Members stated that approval had previously been granted for SHDC supplied computer equipment to be used for both personal and member business. Would this change under the new policies?
  • The Assistant Director – Corporate confirmed that this would not change.

• Members present from the ICT Councillor Working Group stated:
  • that technology had progressed since the adoption of the 2016 policies and that the new suite of policies provided greater clarity;
  • that the roll out of common ICT policies across the partnership would be beneficial for shared officers, and for the implementation of future changes; and
  • that a questionnaire which sought views regarding the update of kit would be circulated to all members in due course.

AGREED:

That comments regarding the S&ELCP ICT Policies be noted.