Issue - meetings

There will be a presentation at the meeting on this item. Presentation material is attached.

Angela Parratt – Head of IT gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following points:

·  The Developing Digital Programme;

·  Programme Vision;

·  Our Digital Design Principles;

·  Business Needs – why Digital? (An Efficient Business; Customer and Community; Prevention; Economic Growth)

·  What we have achieved already (Digital communications; social media; Intranet; PCC Website; External Website)

·  One Council Review Programme;

·  Achievements to date (eg Tell Us Once policy);

·  The Digital Programme – what does it look like, what will it do

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Barrett referred to some feedback issues he has had with Council Connect and asked how the new digital approach will be better. The officer explained that a core design piece of the system will be the user experience. Councillor Barrett cautioned that the approach will only be good if it is well maintained and it must be user friendly. The Strategic Director for Resources Andrew Pate explained that simplicity and ease of use would be the key.

Councillor Rayment asked if Apps are sustainable in the future as people may have storage issues. The officer explained that a solutions architect is being consulted and a choice of channels will be available.

Regarding staff use of their own devices, The Strategic Director explained that where employees need a device for their job, the Council will provide but where a member of staff wants to use their own phone for convenience then they would be able to do so but would not be reimbursed for data.

Councillor Furse stated the importance of accuracy of the system and keeping it updated. The officer noted the comment and explained that hundreds of applications are used and with the new system a ‘golden record’ can be produced and used in all of the service areas. The Strategic Director explained that this is an opportunity to further join things up and cut down the systems used.

Councillor Barrett asked how much the setting up and maintenance costs of the digital approach would be. The Strategic Director explained that this is a draft programme at present so the budget is not yet confirmed but it would be in the next 3 months when it becomes a strategy. The aim is to help the Council save significantly.

Councillor Barrett asked how secure the system will be. The officer explained that the Council achieves high public sector security standards.

Councillor Barrett asked how Bath Hacked get their information. The officer explained that the Council have an open data policy on some aspects of data and would share it with such organisations. Bath Hacked uses publically available data.

The Panel agreed to note the report. The Chair will consult Panel members on what they think might be missing from the programme and whether they would like annual updates on progress.