Issue - decisions

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves Hillingdon’s Digital Strategy 2024-27 in the Appendix. 

2.    To deliver the Strategy:

a)    Agrees the programmes and projects as set out in the report for the remainder of 2024/25 and 2025/26;

b)   Authorises the release of the remaining approved capital budget for 2024/25 and 2025/26 to deliver this;

c)    Delegates authority to the Chief Digital & Information Officer and Corporate Director of Finance (S151), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, to incur expenditure within this budget and make all necessary procurement decisions on the programmes and projects set out in the report, reporting decisions for transparency as required and;

d)   Agrees that any variations to specific projects within the programme for 2024/25 and 2025/26 be subject to i) being within the Strategy’s objectives, ii) being within the approved budget and associated aggregate savings for the financial year and iii) having the agreement of the Chief Digital & Information Officer and Corporate Director of Finance (S151), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services.

3.    Agree to receive an annual report going forward, setting out progress on the Strategy and delivery of savings targets, seeking agreement to the programmes and projects for the upcoming financial year and seeking further delegated authority to successfully implement the programme.

Reasons for decision

Cabinet agreed Hillingdon’s new Digital Strategy, which set out a clear vision for the Borough and the Council, for the next three years. Cabinet also agreed the programme of projects for the ensuing years and provided delegated authority for its effective delivery.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services introduced the report, citing the ambitious three-year investment program aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the authority. The Cabinet Member emphasised the need to modernise and transform outdated processes, and by re-engineering these processes, the Council would create significant savings and ensure the maintenance of crucial frontline services. As part of the Strategy, the Cabinet Member highlighted the importance of leveraging the vast amounts of data held by the local authority, to make it easily accessible and understandable for staff, thereby improving their decision-making processes. Other critical aspects of the Strategy explained were plans to revamp the Council’s website to enhance user experience, so residents could quickly find the information and services they need and also invest in staff training to maximise the benefits of new technologies.

The Leader of the Council supported the strategy, noting the significant investment of £9 million and the expected high return on investment, underscoring the necessity of a robust digital strategy for a modern local authority.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The Cabinet could have agreed to operate and develop digital services without a strategy, amended the programme of projects or only have agreed to deliver projects which delivered a more immediate return on investment sacrificing longer-term benefits.