General
33.1 Overview
Business Units have many systems and procedures for the control of the Authority’s assets, including financial, purchasing and management systems. Business Units rely on computers for their financial management information. This information must be accurate, and the systems and procedures sound. Transactions must be properly processed and errors detected promptly. Sound systems and procedures are essential to an effective framework of accountability and control.
33.2 Responsibility/Accountability
The Head of Law and Corporate Governance, in conjunction with The Head of Resources, will inform Directors and Business Unit Heads of their obligations under the Data Protection Act and Computer Security legislation.
33.2.1 Members (click here for all responsibilities for Members)
Ensuring they comply with various Acts of Parliament covering Data Protection and Computer Security.
Ensure compliance with the Member’s Code of Practice on the use of e-mail, Intranet and the World Wide Web by Members.
33.2.2 Directors (click here for all responsibilities for Directors)
Ensuring compliance with the Council’s ICT strategy.
Ensure compliance with various Acts of Parliament covering Data Protection and Computer Security, and to ensure all officers are made aware of their responsibilities.
33.2.3 Section 151 Officer (click here for all responsibilities for the Section 151 Officer)
Operation of the Authority’s accounting systems, the form of accounts and the supporting financial records.
Approve any changes to the existing financial systems or the establishment of new financial systems.
33.2.4 Business Unit Heads (click here for all responsibilities for Business Unit Heads)
Accountable to the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Member and Chief Executive for ensuring that the information contained within systems is accurate and up to date.
Proper operation of financial processes in their own areas.
Any changes made to agreed procedures by Business Unit Heads to meet their own specific service needs should be agreed with the Head of Resources.
Ensure their staff receive relevant financial training r.
Ensure staff are aware of their responsibilities under the Freedom of Information legislation.
Ensure advice is obtained from the Head of Resources on any new ICT project prior to entering into any agreement.
Ensuring compliance with Council’s ICT strategy.
Ensure compliance with various Acts of Parliament covering Data Protection and Computer Security, and to ensure all officers are made aware of their responsibilities.
Ensuring Officers within their service area are made aware of and comply with the Council’s e-mail, Intranet and World Wide Web policies.
Ensure all purchases of computer hardware/software and consumables, are requested via IT services. Not a requirement for schools
Ensuring there are no conflicts concerning Officers conducting private work.
Ensure that upgrades and enhancements to the existing corporate ICT infrastructure (both hardware and software), that are specifically required by their service area, are funded by the service, both initially and ongoing, and where the ongoing costs are brokered by IT Services agreements with third parties on behalf of the Council, the necessary budgets be vired to IT Services recharges.
Agree with the Head of Resources proposals for any major development and/or implementation of ICT systems.
33.3 Policy (click here for the regulations)
The development and implementation of all ICT systems will conform to the Council’s ICT Strategy.
All legislation (e.g. Data Protection) will be followed.
Purchases of computer hardware and software must be made through IT Services.
All passwords must remain confidential.
Operations and security of ICT systems are subject to audit inspection.
Council wide system procedures can be found in Part IV.
Any service specific procedures should be maintained by the service in question.
(click here for details of the Disposal of IT equipment.)
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