Issue - meetings

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.