Agenda item

There will be a presentation on this item at the meeting.

Angela Parratt, Head of IT and Digital, gave a presentation to the Panel on ‘Digital’ which covered the following:

·  ‘Digital’ – definition

·  Digital – designing for the customer – you, me!

·  Opportunity

·  20/20 vision

·  Benefits – Citizen and Council

·  Initial Programme

·  Fix my street – example

·  People and leadership are the key

·  Process and technology – redesign can drive efficiency

·  Digital is part of the Strategic Review

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

Councillor Sandry asked if the officer had looked at any other authority’s examples of digital strategy. The officer confirmed that she had noted that Bristol and Wiltshire had simplified their digital approach but that Aylesbury was the example that this authority most wanted to move towards.

Councillors Pearce and Barrett asked what measures are in place for people who do not have digital access. The officer explained that no services are being taken away, there is just a shift towards digital. She explained that people can still contact the Council through non-digital channels such as by phone or through the One Stop Shop.

Responding to a query from Councillor O’Brien, the officer agreed that there is a lot of familiarity with digital channels and Apps etc but there is also a need for education. She explained that Help the Aged help to get people familiar with devices.

In response to questions from Councillor Sandry, the officer explained the following:

·  Regarding ‘Fix my Street’, the Council has bought the back end. It has been concluded that a CRM is not needed. She explained that small, scalable solutions are needed in order to respond to continual change.

·  Regarding Drones – this has been considered but would need investment so would have to have a solid use case. At present a drone has to be in sight of the operator but rules might change. She explained that other Councils use drones to inspect bridges.

·  Regarding Drop box – she reported that there is a development team in the department who have developed a solution to this so no need to buy Drop box.

In response to questions from Councillor Richardson, the officer explained the following:

·  Regarding Council Connect and follow up – the officer explained that there is no follow up because different bits of technology are used, this will be changed.

·  Regarding FMS – Councillor Richardson explained that she had stopped using this as messages were not getting through. The officer stated that emails will have been received.

·  The officer agreed that local statistics on digital use are more useful than national statistics and agreed to send some customer insight information to Panel members.

Councillor Barrett asked about conversations with neighbouring authorities and the possibility of cross authority working regarding digital. The officer explained that there are conversations but each authority is in a different stage. There is a shared code with Wiltshire, talks planned with the IT provider for North Somerset and talks with Oxford regarding their use of FMS. The Strategic Director added that while a partnership may have risks, neighbouring authorities can learn from each other at the right time.

There was some discussion around budget for the new system, it was explained that £5million was provisionally approved in the budget.

In response to questions from Councillor Dando, the officer explained the following:

·  Regarding costs, we will be using more and more technology but it will not always cost more.

·  The officer will report back regarding the digital broadband national programme. Regarding people who have English as a second language, part of the design of digital is to make access easier.

·  Regarding security, she agreed with Councillor Dando that the pressure regarding security will not go away but no organisation is delivering this yet.