This is in its final stages before publication. Although still in draft, here are a few ‘tasters’ of what’s coming (as mentioned at OSC).
This is a once in a generation opportunity to modernise our services. The status quo is not an option and we need to set ourselves ambitious and challenging targets.
There is already commonality between SDC & WDC councils with both wanting to:-
· Transform services, putting people first in all that we do
· Support the local economy
· Respond to the Climate Emergency
This gives us confidence that we are moving in the right direction. The themes of the Digital Strategy are:
· Delivering excellence in Digital Services
· Digital service by design
· Digital communities and place
· Our people and priorities
For the purpose of this strategy, four key terms will be used to describe our digital ambitions:
· Digital. Applying the culture, processes, business models and technologies of the internet era to respond to people’s raised expectations.
· Digitising. The translation or capture of analogue data (such as paper, microfiche, or video cassettes) into a digital format.
· Digitalisation. The holistic delivery of a service from start to finish using digital technology.
· Digital Transformation. Using digitalisation as a continuous, transformative force across the organisation.
We want to create a Council where “simple and effective” beats “complex and inefficient”. We need to redesign services around the needs of residents, not necessarily what we believe residents need.
Before we can go too far, we need to ‘fix our plumbing’ to ensure we have the right systems in place. For example, we need safe and secure sharing of information. We need simple to use services that work first time, every time whichever way you access them. The digital tools should be simple to use, reliable and will work – from the point where a request is made to the time an outcome is delivered. We need to keep customers informed and ensure our services are designed to communicate with customers using clear, concise and appropriate methods, chosen by the customer. For that we need an excellent website with up to date accurate information.
To achieve this we need excellent broadband. The offering here is still poor with only 36% of properties having gigabit Broadband. This is something we are still working on.
Mark Cargill, Cabinet Member Stratford on Avon District Council
