Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting. Apologies were received from Councillors Salim Sidat and Tasleem Fazal.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 9^th January 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

No Declarations of Interest were submitted.

Steven Oldham and Michael Ahern delivered a presentation that supported the report submitted on the Council’s approach to Digital Inclusion.

It was noted that Digital Inclusion was a social issue, and a lack of digital skills and access could have a huge negative impact on a person’s life, leading to poorer health outcomes and a lower life expectancy, increased loneliness and social isolation, less access to jobs and education. It could also mean paying more for essentials, financial exclusion, an increased risk of experiencing poverty. People who were digitally excluded also lacked a voice and visibility in the modern world, as government services and democracy increasingly moved online, with those already at a disadvantage – through age, education, income, disability, or unemployment – most likely to be missing out, further widening the social inequality gap as a social issue.

The Council’s approach to supporting residents was outlined, which included an emphasis on designing services with residents, simplifying the Council website, providing intelligent voice forms, a focus on support in libraries, learning centres and Family Hubs, a digital skills offer and work with companies to improve internet connections. Opportunities were outlined, which included public access to PCs in a range of locations, potential device recycling, and linking in with partners. Next steps include better promotion and exploration of Data Bank access and a Device Bank in BwD.

The Technical Debt Recovery and Risk Management approach was outlined, which highlighted the position from early 2023, to where the Council wanted to be late in 2024, with a move from very old infrastructure to class leading digital infrastructure and development and retention of local talent. The issues and progress were outlined for the position shift, with a focus on cyber security, updated software and roll-out of new laptops to staff and Councillors.

Members gave examples of recent residents issues in accessing online services, and Councillor Mahfooz Hussain that it was because of such issues that the approach outlined was being taken. Other matters raised by Members included:

·       Promotion of the changes with residents

·       Data protection and the use of AI

·       Impact on staff of the changes, via AI and the use of the Council app

·       How secure is the Council / Cyber security for the forthcoming elections

·       Use of in-house software/unsupported products/security patches

In response, the Executive Member and officers explained that in terms of promotion and engagement with residents, the approach included working with partners, and good use of buildings regularly accessed by the public, to enable them to receive assistance and access to services, to ensure a joined up approach to digital. The use of AI was being investigated, but would need to focus on more straightforward services, where the technology could assist, rather than more complex services, such as Social Care and Children’s Services, where there would be data protection and other issues arising from using such technology.

Use of the Council app continued, but the focus was more on making the website more accessible to mobile devices, and AI  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.