The Transformation and Digital Services
Manager presented the Digital Strategy Update 2019, setting out the
six key themes of Digital Customer, Place, Design, Workforce,
Infrastructure and Data. The report setout the Actions that were
due for completion in 2018/19, of the nineteen projects undertaken
in the year, four were still in progress, two had been rescheduled
for 2019/20 with the rest completed.
The report also set out the actions planned for 2019 to 2021.
The Committee raised question on digital
inclusion, accessibility and the use of bots on webchat and for
robotic process automation. In response
officers informed the committee that they were working on
delivering a joined up network in Kent to tackle digital exclusion,
that they consider accessibility extensively in providing online
services, with the digital team accredited in accessible
design. A full accessibility audit was
also due next month which could be shared with Members. With regard to bots the Committee were told that
they were being piloted to look at automating high volume but
simple tasks that staff currently undertook, and to help with
webchat, an area where other local authorities were increasingly
using bots.
The Committee also highlighted the importance
of testing, and sought and received assurances around the proposed
Local Plan microsite.
RESOLVED: That
1.
Progress made in the first year of delivering the Digital Strategy
be noted; and
2.
The revised action plan for 2019-21 be agreed.