Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources seeking the Council’s approval of the Technology Strategy 2024 – 2027 (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) (the Strategy).

It was noted that the Technology Strategy defined how the Council would use technology and transform the way it worked digitally and would be a key component of the Council’s Productivity Plan, an expectation of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The Strategy comprised of four priorities, set out in the report and aligned with the Council’s Corporate Plan 2024 – 2027.

In response to a request for in depth Member training to assist Members in understanding technology, the Assistant Director – Resources advised that regular sessions were being held with Members prior to Council meetings. The Leader of the Council clarified that should Members wish these to take place at a different time this could be considered by the Member Training Working Group.

During the debate that ensued and in response to a number of questions and queries the following information was provided by Officers:

·                the Assistant Director clarified that in respect of disposal of old IT equipment the Council’s Policy required that such equipment was first offered to Parish / Town Councils, following this the Council would try to sell the equipment. She highlighted the cost of disposal to the Council as such devices required all data to be wiped prior to repurposing, however interest had been received from a local company which repurposed devices for schools.

·                The Technology Strategy looked at the Council’s resources and what it wanted to achieve within the lifetime of the Strategy, three years in the case of this document. The use of Artificial Intelligence was detailed within the Strategy, although Officers confirmed that future Strategies would build on this. The Leader advised that the Council was working in partnership with other Councils across Essex in terms of investing in technology and developing a shared approach.

·                The Strategy would maintain current resources and budget with an aim to save and reduce budgets. It was noted that working in partnership with the Essex Digital Partnership would provide the Council with more capacity than if it was carrying out the work itself.

During the discussion the Chief Finance Officer referred back to the Minutes of the last meeting and Minute No. 660 – Budgetary Control as at 31 December 2023 and specifically resolution (iii) where the Committee agreed a drawdown from the Transformation Reserve for a two-year extension of a fixed-term IT specialist role. She reported that since that meeting it had been clarified that this role was no longer required and therefore, the investment requested was not required. The Director of Strategy and Resources apologised that this had not been reported back to Members.

Councillor R H Siddall proposed that the recommendation set out in the report be agreed. This was duly seconded and agreed.

RECOMMENDED that the Technology Strategy 2024 – 2027 (APPENDIX 2 to these Minutes) be approved to replace the ICT Strategy 2021 – 2026 and run along the Corporate Plan 2024 – 2027.