164.1  Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Karen Calder and David Minnery.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

165.1  None were declared

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5.00pm on Friday 6^th May 2016.

166.1  There were no questions from members of the public

167.1  There were no matters referred from Scrutiny or Council

Lead Member – Mr Malcolm Pate – Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan.

Report of the Chief Executive is attached, marked 5. TO FOLLOW

Contact: Clive Wright 01743 252007

RESOLVED:

      i.        That Cabinet confirms and approves the preferred approach described within the report to produce a final business case in support of the operational and financial implications i.e. to replace all of the current ICT provision (systems, processes, and infrastructure) with new fully integrated cloud based solutions.

    ii.        That Cabinet approves the required resource for programme team and specialist technical engagement.

   iii.        That Cabinet note the financial implications of the preferred approach, and that funding be approved from the sources identified within the report to proceed with the programme. The initial assessment of cost funding for this Programme exceeds £1m and was not reflected in the Council’s Budget approved on 25th February 2016. Full Council approval will therefore be required to approve funding for the agreed approach as set out in the final business case.

168.1  The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented the report of the Chief Executive which sought Cabinet’s approval for an ICT Digital Transformation Programme that would underpin major transformation projects and enable the Council to transform the delivery of services to a customer focussed approach utilising cloud technologies.

168.2  The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support outlined the reasons that the programme was required and the risks associated with not implementing the programme.  He stressed that doing nothing was not an option. 

168.3  Several Members stressed the importance of maintaining a face to face method of contacting the Council.

168.4  In response to a question the Chief Executive stated that there would be high levels of investment required but that in the long term this investment would lead to savings and efficiencies.

168.5  In response to a query the Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that the final business case would be taken to Full Council for approval.

168.6 RESOLVED:

                 i.       That Cabinet confirms and approves the preferred approach described within the report to produce a final business case in support of the operational and financial implications i.e. to replace all of the current ICT provision (systems, processes, and infrastructure) with new fully integrated cloud based solutions.

               ii.       That Cabinet approves the required resource for programme team and specialist technical engagement.

              iii.       That Cabinet note the financial implications of the preferred approach, and that funding be approved from the sources identified within the report to proceed with the programme. The initial assessment of cost funding for this Programme exceeds £1m and was not reflected in the Council’s Budget approved on 25th February 2016. Full Council approval will therefore be required to approve funding for the agreed approach as set out in the final business case.