Issue - meetings

That Cabinet:

a)           approve the digital strategy (attached as an appendix) for 2025-2028; and

b)          note the findings of the working group and stakeholder surveys.

The Business Manager – ICT and Digital Services and Business Manager- Customer Services, were in attendance to present the Digital Strategy for 2025-2028, including the outcome of the Members Digital Working Group and results of the stakeholders survey. The new digital strategy, gave a clear strategic direction for our digital initiatives, minimising resourcing and financial risks, ensuring our alignment with other authorities involved in local government reorganisation, and providing our communities with assurance that their needs were central to the development of our digital initiatives.

The Cabinet welcomed the Strategy, particularly the commitment to ensure that no-one in the District would be left behind or unable to access services from the Council.

AGREED (unanimously) That Cabinet:

a)           approve the digital strategy (attached as an appendix) for 2025-2028; and

b)          note the findings of the working group and stakeholder surveys.

Reasons for Decision:

The proposed recommendation is to adopt the new digital strategy, which will offer clear strategic direction for our digital initiatives. This approach aims to minimise resourcing and financial risks, ensure alignment with other authorities involved in local government reorganisation, and provide our communities with assurance that their needs are central to the development of our digital initiatives.

Options Considered:

Extend the existing digital strategy. There is a need to do more than simply extend the existing strategy. The existing strategy is not current and will not sufficiently address community needs or align with central government directives. The expectations of the internal and external stakeholders together with rapid

developments in digital technologies enable greater understanding and use of data. This necessitates a fresh strategy.

Take no action and therefore no digital strategy. This is not considered to be an acceptable option.