1 Summary
The following decisions are sought:

1.1 Agreement to proceed with Phase 1 (Return on Investment Analysis) and Phase 2 (Technical evaluation, design and proof of concept) and report back by the end of December 2004, at a cost of £270,000; to be funded by re-prioritising IT and other capital projects.

1.2 Agreement in principle to proceed to Phase 3 (build and pilot) and Phase 4 (implementation), subject to the outcome of the first two phases.

2 Reason(s)

2.1 The National Priorities and E-Government Outcomes published by the ODPM has established a requirement for all authorities to provide online facilities to allow "ICT support and documented policy for home/remote working [for staff]" and "Access to home/remote working facilities."

2.2 IT for mobile working has been identified as potentially offering substantial benefits to the Social Services Department and other County Council Departments.

2.3 These decisions support four of the Aims of the Corporate Strategy: Aim 1 (Maximising Life Opportunities) by assisting in the provision of timely caring services; Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by reducing journeys by car; Aim 5 (Improving Services) by improving the productivity of staff; and Aim 6 (Developing Councillors and Staff) by enabling staff to have easier access to information to assist in delivering appropriate services, and by enabling more flexible working arrangements.

3 Other options considered and rejected

None

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision-maker or other Executive Member consulted

None

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

None

6 Reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Not applicable

Approved by: __________________________ Date:_______________

Councillor Felicity Hindson