Issue - meetings

(1)       Mr Shipton introduced the 2009/10 financial outturn report and Mrs Hill introduced the annual operating plan outturn information, for each of the Service Units within the Chief Executive’s Department.  The report brought together financial and key activity and performance outcome information in the same place.

(2)       Members were asked to consider how the Committee should contribute to formulating the 2011/12 budget and medium term plan at an earlier stage than previous years.

(3)       Mrs Dean congratulated the Legal Department on the income that they had generated for the County Council. 

(4)       Mr Wild explained the comparison between the London rates for solicitors compared with the blended rate of £90m per hour charge by the County Councils solicitors for external work.  This rate was attractive to the public sector.  External rates were higher than internal rates and generated a surplus. External work subsidised internal legal work which was charged at below cost.  If the Legal Department only carried out internal work they would be operating at a loss.

(5)  Mrs Dean suggested that the meeting of the IMG to assist with the development of the Budget might wish to look at four areas of minor overspend (Strategic Management, Centrally Managed Budgets, Central Policy and Performance, Improvement & Engagement), which were showing an overspend that was small financially but high in percentage terms.   She also hoped that the large underspend on Public Consultation was due to an overestimation rather than a lack of consultation.  It was confirmed that it was not due to a lack of consultation.

(6)       In response to a question Mr McMullan confirmed that there was an internal audit programme. She offered to submit a report to the next meeting of the Committee on the Internal audit programme and how it impacted on the Chief Executives Department. 

(7)       The efficient way in which the Contact Centre dealt with calls was commended.  It was suggested that consideration should be give to using an 01 number to access the centre so that mobile phone users with inclusive minutes could contact the Centre at no cost.   Mrs Oliver explained that officers were currently exploring the use of an 03 number which was a low call number included in most mobile phone packages. 

(8)       The issue of the use of social media such as Twitter and Facebook was mentioned including the restrictions on access Facebook by officers unless a business case has been made.  The excellent facility provided by Yammer and the opportunity that it provides for Members to set up community forums was highlighted by Members.  Miss Clarke explained that in relation to officer access to Facebook it has always been possible to make a business case for access to it, there was ongoing work with Ms Beer to look at the whole issue of officer access to Facebook and she would report back to Members when there were clear recommendations.   Miss Clarke undertook to provide a briefing note for Member on the use of Yammer.

(9)  Members asked a number of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56