Best Value & Corporate Services Committee

Wednesday 16 June 2004 at 2 pm

Present: Provost Rebecchi, Councillors Blair, Fyfe, Hunter, McCabe, McCormick (M), McCormick (P), Moran, Stewart and White.

Chair:  Councillor White presided. 

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Social Work Services, Head of Service (Support for Learning), Head of Personnel Services, Mr J Cowie (Interim IT Manager), Mr I Robinson (Interim Operations Manager IT) and Managing Solicitor (Licensing/Litigation).

Apologies:  Councillors Hill and Nimmo

The Committee adjourned from 2.05 pm to 2.10 pm to allow Members an opportunity to read the report by the Director of Corporate Services on a remit from the Environment and Regeneration Committee relative to the Housing Services Restructure.  (Councillor McCormick (P) entered the meeting at this point).

The Committee was further adjourned between 3 pm and 3.05 pm to allow the Policy and Strategy Committee to be convened and then from 3.50 pm to 4 pm.

With the exception of the decision marked ‘C’ which is open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

439

Social Work Services - Review of Delivery of Homelessness Service

439

There was submitted a report dated 1 June 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services recommending the establishment of posts in the Homelessness Service, Social Work Services.  The report advised that the cost of the proposals was £134,774 including employers’ costs to be contained within the 2004/05 rent levels and Supporting People Grant.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the establishment of the following posts within Social Work Services:-

(1)      one post of Service Manager on salary grade PO11 (£32,244 - £34,554) plus £2000 responsibility allowance;

(2)      two posts of Resettlement Officer on salary grade AP4 (£19,632 - £21,732);

(3)      one post of Administration Officer on salary grade AP3 (£17,340 - £19,029); and

(4)      one post of Senior Accommodations Officer on salary grade AP3 (£17,340 - £19,029).

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                               Paragraph(s)

Future Provision of ICT Services                                                            1, 8, 9 & 11

Housing Services - Restructure                                                              1

440

Future Provision of ICT Services

440

There was submitted (1) a report dated 4 June 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services setting out the background to the review of the provision of ICT Services and recommending that the future provision of ICT Services be delivered in partnership with a specialist ICT Services provider and (2) a submission by UNISON.  The Committee received Mr J Gallagher and Mr R Taggart from UNISON along with Mr R McClure an employee in ICT Services.  Mr Taggart and Mr Gallagher then spoke to their submission.  Councillor McCabe asked that his request for all Members to be provided with a copy of the options appraisal for ICT Services or extracts from the document, following the advice of the Director of Legal & Support Services, be recorded.

There was circulated an amended recommendation 10.1 relative to the report by the Director of Corporate Services.

Following discussion, Councillor White moved:-

(1)      that the future ICT Service be delivered through a partnership approach with a private sector ICT service provider and in parallel with this, detailed information be obtained on models used by other Authorities and that it be remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to prepare specifications and invite tenders and thereafter report back to the Committee in early course on the basis of the provision of:-

(a)      The Whole ICT Service.

(b)      Management of the ICT Service.

(c)      Service Desk and Installations, Moves and Changes.

(d)      Architecture and Infrastructure.

(e)      Account Management and Programme Delivery;

(2)      that the Printing Service transfer to Finance Services;

(3)      that the potential financial implications be remitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee for consideration by the Corporate Management Team as part of the 2005/06 onward budget process and that any 2004/05 budget impact be reported to the Policy & Strategy Committee, only if financial implications cannot be contained; and

(4)      that consultation with the employees and the trade unions continue throughout the process of service transfer.

As an amendment Councillor McCabe moved:

(1)      that the report be remitted to the Council’s Corporate Management Team for further consideration of the options proposed and any additional options, specifically a partnership arrangement with another public sector agency;

(2)      that a further report be submitted to the Committee within a 3 month period by the Corporate Management Team recommending the way forward for ICT Services;

(3)      that in the meantime the Director of Corporate Services take appropriate action to address the failings of the ICT Service highlighted in her report; and

(4)      that dialogue continue with employees and their representatives with the aim of seeking an agreement on the best option for the future of ICT Services.

On a vote 3 Members voted for the amendment and 5 for the motion which was declared carried.  Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.

(Councillor McCormick (M) entered the meeting and Provost Rebecchi left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

C

Decided: 

C

(1)      that the future ICT Service be delivered through a partnership approach with a private sector ICT service provider and in parallel with, this detailed information be obtained on models used by other Authorities and that it be remitted to the Director of Corporate Services to prepare specifications and invite tenders and thereafter report back to the Committee in early course on the basis of the provision of:-

(a)      The Whole ICT Service;

(b)      Management of the ICT Service;

(c)      Service Desk and Installations, Moves and Changes;

(d)      Architecture and Infrastructure; and

(e)      Account Management and Programme Delivery.

(2)      that the Printing Service transfer to Finance Services;

(3)      that the potential financial implications be remitted to the Policy & Strategy Committee for consideration by the Corporate Management Team as part of the 2005/06 onward budget process and that any 2004/05 budget impact be reported to the Policy & Strategy Committee, only if financial implications cannot be contained; and

(4)      that consultation with the employees and the trade unions continue throughout the process of service transfer.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Corporate Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the proposals if agreed to be  implemented without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

441

Housing Services - Restructure

441

There was submitted a report dated 14 June 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services on a remit from the meeting of the Environment & Regeneration Committee on 25 May 2004 (para 411) relative to the restructuring of the Housing Division of Economic Development Services.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee note that a report on the grading of the proposed Admin/Finance officer is being dealt with by the Head of Personnel Services and that a report will be submitted to the Committee in due course; and

(2)      that the Committee approve for its interest the restructuring proposals for the Housing Division contained in the report and note that the Head of Personnel Services has delegated powers to deal with temporary appointments under the Scheme of Delegation.