Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Short Life Working Group resumed discussion on the report that had been considered at the Council meeting on 20 September 2012.  The report provided information with regard to the provision of webcasting equipment, Looking Local, URTV and Video Conferencing following research undertaken by Officers.  Members received a verbal update on Looking Local and a short demonstration on the service, which would go live on 12 November 2012.

Decision

1.      Noted the up to date position with regard to Looking Local.

2.      Requested that the following information be provided to the next meeting of the Short Life Working Group in respect of Looking Local –

a.      The cost implications for members of the public accessing Looking Local

b.      Possibilities for increasing the use of Gaelic on the Councils website, and any associated financial implications

c.      The synergies between Looking Local and the existing Members Portal

3.      Requested that a scoping paper be provided to the next meeting of the Short Life Working Group in respect of URTV, webcasting and video conferencing which will include details of what the Councils aspirations and requirements are in terms of multimedia, prior to a further paper on the feasibility of adopting particular solutions being brought to a future meeting.

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated February 2012, submitted)

A report providing an update on the actions that have been taken with regard to Looking Local was considered.

Decision

Noted the report and that a verbal update on Looking Local had already been provided under item 3a of the agenda.

(Report by Executive Director – Customer Services dated 10 October 2012, submitted)

The Committee resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 8 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Short Life Working Group considered proposals by URTV Ltd to film and broadcast Argyll and Bute Council meetings, establish TV clubs and school news channels for Argyll and Bute Council’s seven academies and the provision of  community broadband TV.

Decision

Agreed -

1.      To respond to URTV informing them that the Council was currently revisiting its direction with regard to multimedia communications and would be in contact in due course.

2.      To investigate the direction taken by other Councils with regard to multimedia communications, to include the issues they had encountered and successes achieved which would inform preparation of the Council’s scope for the introduction of these services.

(Reference: Proposals by URTV, submitted)

Discussion

It was noted that alternative service providers could not be considered until the Council had made a decision on its way forward with regard to multimedia communications.

Discussion

The Short Life Working Group were invited to request items for discussion at the next meeting of the Group.

Decision

1.      Noted that the information requested at items 3a, 3b and 3c would be items for discussion at the next meeting of the Group.

2.      Agreed to request from the Communications Team a view on how they think multimedia can be used within the Council.

3.      Agreed to invite the members of the Communications Team to attend the next meeting of the Short Life Working Group.

It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the Short Life Working Group on 19 November 2012 at 2pm.

E1 Paragraph 6  Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

Paragraph 9  Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.