Agenda item

For decision. 

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approve the adoption of the Digital Strategy 2026–2030 as the Council’s strategic framework for digital, data and technology.

2.     Approve delegation to the Head of Service responsible for ICT and Digital to make minor updates to the Digital Strategy to ensure it remains current and aligned with organisational priorities.

AGREED that Executive:

1.     Note that delivery of the strategy would be managed through existing governance arrangements, including the Technical Design Authority, and aligned to the Medium-Term Financial Plan and corporate prioritisation processes.

2.     Note that the Digital Strategy operated alongside the Council’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, which provided the governance framework for future use of AI and emerging digital capabilities.

The Mayor submitted a report for Executive’s consideration.

The purpose of the report was to seek approval of the Digital Strategy 2026–2030, which set out the Council’s strategic framework for digital, data and technology and established a clear, corporate approach to maintaining secure, resilient and well-governed digital services.

Executive was advised that the proposed Digital Strategy recognised the increasing reliance on digital systems across all Council services and the need to ensure that these systems were secure, consistent and sustainable.

Members noted that the strategy provided a structured, evidence-led approach focused on strengthening digital foundations, improving governance, reducing duplication and enabling more efficient ways of working across the organisation.

It was highlighted that the strategy was built around four core themes: secure and modern foundations; simpler processes and safe automation; workforce digital and security capability; and digital platforms, customer experience and inclusion.

The Executive heard that approval of the strategy would establish a single, coordinated digital direction for the Council, replacing fragmented or service-led approaches and ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and the Medium-Term Financial Plan.

Members were informed that delivery of the strategy would be managed through existing governance arrangements, including the Technical Design Authority, ensuring that digital decisions were subject to appropriate scrutiny, standards and oversight.

The Executive noted that the strategy would operate alongside the Council’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, ensuring that any future adoption of AI and emerging technologies would be appropriately governed, proportionate and ethical.

It was further noted that the strategy did not commit the Council to additional expenditure at this stage, with any future investment subject to existing approval processes and business case development.

Executive acknowledged that the strategy aligned with statutory requirements, including data protection, accessibility and transparency obligations, and would support improved service delivery, risk management and value for money.

The Mayor drew Executive’s attention to references of the Technical Design Authority in the report. He stated this body would enable the Council to be more effective in delivering digital solutions.

OPTIONS

The Executive considered the option of continuing without a formal Digital Strategy. This was not supported, as it would likely result in ongoing fragmentation, duplication, inconsistent service delivery and increased operational and cyber risk.

Executive also considered the option of pursuing large-scale digital transformation at pace. This was not supported, due to the significant financial, operational and delivery risks, as well as the potential for disruption to critical services.

ORDERED that Executive:

1.     Approve the adoption of the Digital Strategy 2026–2030 as the Council’s strategic framework for digital, data and technology.

2.     Approve delegation to the Head of Service responsible for ICT and Digital to make minor updates to the Digital Strategy to ensure it remains current and aligned with organisational priorities.

AGREED that Executive:

3.     Note that delivery of the strategy would be managed through existing governance arrangements, including the Technical Design Authority, and aligned to the Medium-Term Financial Plan and corporate prioritisation processes.

4.     Note that the Digital Strategy operated alongside the Council’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, which provided the governance framework for future use of AI and emerging digital capabilities.

REASONS

The adoption of a Digital Strategy was necessary to ensure that the Council’s use of digital, data and technology was secure, consistent and aligned with organisational priorities. The Council’s digital environment had developed over time and as such it remained varied across systems, processes and data. This created duplication, inconsistency and increased operational risk. Without a clear and agreed strategic framework, these issues were likely to impact service delivery, governance and value for money.