Issue - meetings

Cabinet received a report which sought its approval of a new five year ICT Strategy that would underpin major transformation projects and enable the Council to transform the delivery of services to a customer specific approach utilising cloud technologies.

          Councillor Seaton introduced the item and advised that the ICT Strategy was key and would provide a more cost effective operation and greatly improve the way services were delivered to local residents. The majority of the ICT services were purchased with a specific service area in mind, however the new approach would encompass the whole Council in a more joined up manner.

          Further key points highlighted by Councillor Seaton included the extensive leap forward in efficiency and service quality that the technology would enable; the system adhering to the highest standards of government guidance to ensure security; the consultation that would be undertaken with partners, particularly schools; investment being covered by the efficiency plans being developed by each department and the retention of the provision of traditional approaches when required.

Cabinet debated the report and key points raised, along with responses to questions provided by the Council’s ICT Strategy, Infrastructure and Programmes Manager included:

·         The proposed cloud based system would be more secure than the one currently in place;

·         Cloud principles had been released which had to be adhered to by the Local Authority; and

·         Some of the main clients utilising the technology included Coca-Cola, Toyota, Phillips, GE Capital, Tokyo Post, and Burberry which demonstrated the faith that these large companies had in the security of the system.

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the Council’s ICT Strategy 2014-2019;

2.    To authorise the Executive Director Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources to deliver future work streams arising from the Strategy; and

3.    To authorise the Executive Director Resources to agree to changes to the ICT Managed Service contract with Serco resulting from the ICT Strategy.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

         The ICT strategy would help to fundamentally change the way that the Council operated and would lead to improved service provision and availability for all residents.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

The alternative option for the ICT Strategy was to remain as was and to continue to use the current traditional technology that the Council had in place. This option had been rejected as it would not allow the Council to change the way that it operated in order to take advantage of the new solutions and practices that had emerged in the technology market. In order to meet the budget pressures that the Council was facing, the Council had to adapt its processes and utilise the flexibility and collaborative nature of these technologies to underpin its council wide transformation programmes.