Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director Digital and Change.

The committee received a report of the Corporate Director Digital and Change with regard to the draft digital vision for Dorset Council.  The report set out the many areas of activity and the committee was asked to support the development of the Digital Vision and through reviewing the areas of focus from the Digital and ICT Executive Advisory Panel (EAP), assist with the development of an action plan to support its delivery.  It was noted that a further report would be brought to the committee in February 2021 once the work had been completed, to subsequently recommend the adoption of the digital vision and action plan by Cabinet in April 2021.

An overview of the work was provided by the Corporate Director and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change.

Councillors discussed the issues arising from the report and particular reference was made to the need for further review of the council’s website, arrangements for monitoring once the vision had been agreed, links with external partners and connectivity issues including work required with hard to reach areas.  The committee welcomed the report and the work that had been undertaken.

It was proposed by L Fry seconded by C Jones

Decision

That the Place and Resources Overview Committee:

1.         Has reviewed the work of the Digital and ICT EAP and the draft digital vision.

2.         Supports the development of Dorset’s Digital Vision, with comments as made at the meeting.

3.         Highlights potential key priorities from the digital vision as follows so that these can be developed into a delivery plan for the next 2 years, 2021 – 2023:

Need for review of the Dorset Council website including the search engine;
Recognise the need for quality digital infrastructure for all and the need to pay attention to those not connected;
Need to raise digital skills;
Ensure the council makes the best use of data and intelligence and use of the performance management system to measure success.

4.         Will review the final versions of the digital vision and action plan at the February 2021 meeting of the committee and subject to any final changes then, will consider recommending the adoption of the Digital Vision and action plan to Cabinet in April 2021.