Decisions

Purpose: to approve the system procurement

Cabinet considered the head of corporate services’ report on the joint technology strategy.  This updated the current strategy agreed in 2018, allowed the council to develop its technology infrastructure to meet the needs of the corporate plan, allowed the council to provide for future needs as it moved to new offices, and allowed it to adapt to changes in IT provision.  The strategy was set out in appendix A to the report, published with the agenda. 

Cabinet welcomed the updated technology strategy and noted that it would support all objectives set out in the corporate plan, not just reduce costs.  The council would be investing in key systems to provide better services to the public.  Cabinet particularly welcomed the emphasis on reducing the council’s carbon footprint.  Cabinet also welcomed the proposed customer relationship system proposals, and strategic move towards cloud-based services.  The strategy would allow the council to move forward and adapt to changes in the IT environment. 

RESOLVED: to note the update on the projects incorporated in the Joint Technology Strategy and to support the continuing implementation of the programme. 

Purpose: to approve the project assessment and approval process

Cabinet considered the report of the interim head of development and corporate landlord.  This set out a proposal to use community infrastructure levy to fund capital projects.  The report set out a process and criteria to assess potential projects through a councillors’ working group with officer input. 

The Cabinet member reported that the aim was to set a process to assess projects and progress those that met the corporate objectives.  The aim was to hold the first working group meeting in November.  The projects would then be considered for inclusion in the next year’s budget.  The Cabinet member believed there was scope to consider any green projects suggested by the Climate and Ecological Emergencies Advisory Committee. 

Cabinet supported the proposal and looked forward to the working group’s proposals for projects in 2022/23.  The preferred projects should support the council’s corporate objectives. 

RESOLVED: to

(a)        agree the proposed structure for identification of projects by a member working group; and

(b)        authorise the interim head of development and corporate landlord and the head of finance, in consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, to prepare terms of reference for the member working group.