SNP push for smarter working in Argyll & Bute
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 11:00 pmSNP push for smarter working in Argyll & Bute
The Main opposition group on Argyll & Bute Council will promote a motion to improve the use of video conferencing and technology to reduce the cost of travelling for officers and members of the council.
Proposer of the motion, SNP Councillor for South Kintyre, John Semple, was prompted to research the cost of travel in the council following a meeting of the MAKI area committee which took place on Islay on Wednesday the 8th of June. 4 officers and 7 councillors spent 6 hours of their time travelling for a 3 hour meeting. The only member of the public to attend questioned why it was there at all and why he could not video conference into the meeting.
Councillor Semple Said - ‘The main results of my research show that since May 2007 Argyll & Bute Council has spent £6.5M on travel expenses for officers and elected members. And last year officers claimed £1.4M in travelling expenses and members claimed £117K.
‘Between the years 2009/10 and 2010/11 the cost of travel, did not reduce by any significant means in spite of the economic position of the council, in-fact it increased for members.
‘It is clear that, whilst cutting services to the people of Argyll & Bute, we are not conducting the work of council meetings appropriately for the technological age we live, in order to reduce costs. We should always look to reduce the cost of backroom services before front line services.’
The motion being proposed is as follows -
In order - to reduce the cost of delivering council services; to reduce the impact on the environment caused by travel; to increase community involvement in Local Government; and to increase the efficiency of officers and councillors, the Council instructs the Chief Executive -
1. To establish, within 12 months, an extended, modern and effective video conferencing system which enables the public to view and, where appropriate, take part in all public council and committee meetings from remote locations, except where press and public are excluded.
2. To develop a protocol limiting the extent to which officers and councillors use travel as a means of attending meetings and promoting video conferencing.
3. To monitor progress towards appropriate actions and targets on the establishment of this proposal and report on these to each scheduled Full Council Meeting.
Commenting on the likelihood of the motion being successful Councillor Semple Said –
‘If the Leader of the Liberal, Conservative, Alliance Administration is true to the comments he made at the last council meeting about being sympathetic to such a move, then there is potential for success on this matter.
‘ I know that my Colleagues on the Area Committee have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the present arrangements and a willingness to engage in a more inclusive way of organising council meetings.
‘I would expect cross party support, however that will only be possible if common sense prevails over political sensitivities or self interest.’
The Main opposition group on Argyll & Bute Council will promote a motion to improve the use of video conferencing and technology to reduce the cost of travelling for officers and members of the council.
Proposer of the motion, SNP Councillor for South Kintyre, John Semple, was prompted to research the cost of travel in the council following a meeting of the MAKI area committee which took place on Islay on Wednesday the 8th of June. 4 officers and 7 councillors spent 6 hours of their time travelling for a 3 hour meeting. The only member of the public to attend questioned why it was there at all and why he could not video conference into the meeting.
Councillor Semple Said - ‘The main results of my research show that since May 2007 Argyll & Bute Council has spent £6.5M on travel expenses for officers and elected members. And last year officers claimed £1.4M in travelling expenses and members claimed £117K.
‘Between the years 2009/10 and 2010/11 the cost of travel, did not reduce by any significant means in spite of the economic position of the council, in-fact it increased for members.
‘It is clear that, whilst cutting services to the people of Argyll & Bute, we are not conducting the work of council meetings appropriately for the technological age we live, in order to reduce costs. We should always look to reduce the cost of backroom services before front line services.’
The motion being proposed is as follows -
In order - to reduce the cost of delivering council services; to reduce the impact on the environment caused by travel; to increase community involvement in Local Government; and to increase the efficiency of officers and councillors, the Council instructs the Chief Executive -
1. To establish, within 12 months, an extended, modern and effective video conferencing system which enables the public to view and, where appropriate, take part in all public council and committee meetings from remote locations, except where press and public are excluded.
2. To develop a protocol limiting the extent to which officers and councillors use travel as a means of attending meetings and promoting video conferencing.
3. To monitor progress towards appropriate actions and targets on the establishment of this proposal and report on these to each scheduled Full Council Meeting.
Commenting on the likelihood of the motion being successful Councillor Semple Said –
‘If the Leader of the Liberal, Conservative, Alliance Administration is true to the comments he made at the last council meeting about being sympathetic to such a move, then there is potential for success on this matter.
‘ I know that my Colleagues on the Area Committee have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the present arrangements and a willingness to engage in a more inclusive way of organising council meetings.
‘I would expect cross party support, however that will only be possible if common sense prevails over political sensitivities or self interest.’