Contact: Jos Creese ([email protected]), ext 7436

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

· To endorse the Annual IT Performance Report of the Head of IT Services for 2004/05.

· To note the e-Government progress made and endorse the wider contribution of IT to corporate strategy, policy and performance (Sections 1-4).

· To endorse, in principle, the main priorities for IT investment and development (indicated in Section 8).

· That, as part of a County Treasurer's financial report in January 2006, specific progress is identified and brought to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources Decision Day on the contribution IT is making as a productivity driver (Section 8 in the Annual Report, para 8.1, bullet points 3 and 5).

1 Reason(s)

2.1 The performance of IT is central to the running of the County Council and the delivery of services to the public, and the County Council makes a significant investment in IT each year. This report assesses the contribution of IT over the previous 12 months across the County Council and sets out priority themes for 2005/06.

2.2 The role of IT in leading organisations is now much more than simply providing IT solutions in response to service needs. It includes a leadership role in delivering corporate strategy and policy, especially in the transformation of services through the application of technologies in new and imaginative ways.

2.3 In this respect, the contribution of IT at Hampshire County Council supports every one of the aims of the Corporate Strategy. For example:

· Aim 1 - Maximising life opportunities

· IT underpins the delivery of the majority of front line service delivery;

· improving and broadening access to services, particularly vulnerable groups;

· supporting new services such as the award winning OT Direct service.

· Aim 2 - Stewardship of the Environment

· IT helps the County Council to operate in more environmentally sustainable ways (eg. reducing travel and paper);

· it encourages changes in public use of transport and resources, including the way the County Council works with partner organisations.

· Aim 3 - Achieving Economic Prosperity

· Hantsweb and email provide electronic communications which help businesses within Hampshire to function and compete more effectively.

· Aim 4 - Building Strong and Safe Communities

· information services through Hantsweb help communities to be more responsible for issues in their area;

· the specific application of IT in Social Care and Education plays a critical part in supporting community wellbeing.

· Aim 5 - Improving Services IT is central to many of the changes being undertaken across the organisation, including:

· flexible working,

· delivery of efficiency savings,

· supporting integrated Children's and Adults' services,

· management of resources through SAP.

· Aim 6 - Developing Councillors and Staff

· IT is now a core competency both as a management tool and in nearly every job.

2.4 The visibility and transparency of IT performance is therefore an essential part of the overall assessment of the County Council's performance, and the reason why this report is being brought.

3 Other Options Considered and Rejected

N/A

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

N/A

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

N/A

6 Reasons for the matter being dealt with, if urgent

N/A

Approved by: __________________________________________

(Councillor T K Thornber)

Date of decision: __________________________________________