Issue - meetings

To seek approval of the proposed ICT Strategy for 2019-25.

Decision

That the ICT Strategy for 2019-25 be approved.

None.

The Council’s ICT Team had been working with Foresight Consultants on a proposed ICT Strategy for the period 2019-25. The Strategy was based on:

·         Council priorities and the likely challenges facing the service over the next three years;

·         supporting Vision 2025 and the One Council agenda;

·         interviews with key stakeholders;

·         reviews of current infrastructure;

·         potential future requirements;

·         meetings with stakeholders;

·         industry developments.

Four key themes had been identified as part of the Strategy, which were:

·         channel shift – customer services;

·         new ways of working;

·         value for money;

·         high availability and high performance.

The Strategy was also designed to support the Vision 2025 and One Council agenda through new technologies and service support, including:

·         new and upgraded systems;

·         mobile working equipment and processes;

·         enhanced web and self-service provision;

·         cloud provision of services.

There were some key elements without which the ICT function could not operate. Aside from the people and skills which were critical for operating the service, some elements of the ICT infrastructure were required to form a platform for services. These included the data storage, servers, network, telephony and disaster recovery capability. Whilst some investment resources had been committed, these would be reviewed as part of the ongoing budget process, as set out in the Strategy itself.

In terms of aspirational and line of business services, section four of the Strategy set out the proposals for the Council’s applications. This included:

·         the applications that the Council was utilising;

·         the way they were consumed;

·         the mix and spread of applications and how they may be rationalised;

·         underlying platforms;

·         staff skills and training to effectively utilise software;

·         customer requirements for self-service.

Many of these elements required investment and would be considered in more detail over the period of the strategy on a business case based approach.

A copy of the proposed Strategy was appended to the report.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the Council, was pleased that the Strategy reflected the One Council approach and linked into the authority’s Vision 2025, emphasising that ICT was imperative as to how the organisation conducted all of its business.

It was noted that consultants with significant experience in working with other local authorities had supported the development of this Strategy as an independent, critical friend.

Councillor Metcalfe thanked Matt Smith, Business Development and IT Manager, and his team for an excellent piece of work.