Issue - meetings

To consider a joint report of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance and the Environment & Economy scrutiny committees.

Digital has been identified as an important part of the Council’s Investing in Stockport Programme.  The Council’s digital efforts will allow the organisation to interact with citizens and businesses via a medium that is considered preferable by many residents, and will reduce the cost of delivering some services. As such, the Council is developing digital services that the vast majority of residents will choose to access by preference, and which others will be assisted to use, including full assistance for the most vulnerable and elderly groups.

The Scrutiny Review undertaken jointly by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance and the Environment & Economy scrutiny committees focussed on developing a greater understanding of digital accessibility in the Borough to ensure that the Councils’ digital efforts are centred on the needs and capabilities of our customers and communities.

The Executive is invited to receive the report and request the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services to prepare a response to the recommendations contained in the report.

Officer Contact: Steve Skelton on 0161 474 3174 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

The Lead Councillor (Councillor Kate Butler) of the Scrutiny Review undertaken jointly by the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance and Environment & Economy scrutiny committees into understanding the accessibility of digital services in Stockport attended the meeting to present the final report of the Review (copies of which had been circulated) to the Executive and to answer questions from executive councillors.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be requested to prepare a response to the “Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport” Scrutiny Review final report and the recommendations contained therein for consideration by the Executive at a future meeting.

(2) That the gratitude of the Executive be recorded for the excellent work undertaken by the Scrutiny Review Panel - Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport and others involved in this Review.

To consider the final report of the Scrutiny Review Panel – Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment upon the draft Final Report prior to its submission to the Executive.

Officer Contact: Steve Skelton on 0161 474 31374 or email: steve.skelton@stockport.gov.uk

Councillor Kate Butler introduced the final report on the draft Scrutiny Review - Understanding the Accessibility of Digital Services in Stockport. The joint review carried out by the Corporate, Resource Management and Governance and the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committees had not focused on efficiency savings but instead optimising the use of digital services to improve the quality of life for residents in Stockport. In particular within the scope and recommendations aimed to:

·         Ensure there was a fair distribution of access to Digital Services across the Borough.

·         Identify opportunities to improve the current service at nil cost to the Council.

·         Improve connectivity and maximise the economic benefits of Digital Services.

·         Provide an explicit commitment that there will always be the option for residents that need it to elect for face to face contact in dealing with the Council.

·         Incentives in relation to digital take-up

·         Ensure residents with complex needs are able to access Digital Services.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Whilst the Council should continue to expand free wi-fi coverage, it was recognised that free wi-fi was already widely available through cafes, restaurants, public houses etc. and through Stockport Homes.

·         The reduced cost of mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets now meant many residents accessed services through these devices rather than a PC/ laptop and therefore the interface of Council services needed to be adapted accordingly.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the comments of the Scrutiny Committee be referred to the Executive for consideration and that the Executive be informed that this Scrutiny Committee supports the recommendations detailed in the report.

(3) That the thanks of this Scrutiny Committee be extended to members of the Review Panel for the in-depth review undertaken.