Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for People and Communities.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Data Strategy as set out in Appendix A of the report presented at the meeting.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which outlined the Council’s approach to using data to achieve its strategic goals and was intended to align with the adopted Digital Customer Strategy and the revised draft Corporate Plan 2025-2028.

Reference was made to the importance of the data strategy for data security, appropriate use and that efforts had been made to ensure it was understandable and clear.

During the discussion, Executive Members raised the following points and questions:

·         interest was expressed in how data collection could streamline services and manage issues such as fly-tipping;

·         were Councillors responsible for their own data control and protection? and

·         the extent of efforts in meeting the needs of all customers was commended.

Opposition group leaders raised the following points and questions:

·         would public databases be updated, notably for tree protection orders and heritage assets, which had not been updated in many years;

·         the report advised that there would be no environmental impacts, but data servers would create carbon issues, which needed to be addressed;

·         was the budget for the strategy sufficient?

·         a query was raised on a potential typo in the report appendix; and

·         did the strategy adhere to any imposed template by central government or other public document?

In response to questions and points raised by Members, the Strategic Director for People and Communities advised that:

·         there was a challenge in making data publicly available;

·         there was a focus on improving the quality of information on the website,

·         there were further difficulties in recruiting individuals with digital skills to undertake the work due to competition with the private sector. However, partnership work with other councils and Strata was on going on project-by-project basis;

·         Strat costs the council around £2 million revenue a year which is a sufficient budget, and the partnership arrangement provides economies of scale, aiding a timely delivery;

·         Exeter’s initial focus was on infrastructure before making changes to front line services: partner councils have taken other approaches and whilst collaboration had been effective discussions were being held with Strata on potential changes in the approach to increase the pace of delivery on some projects.;

·         the carbon impact assessment was an issue which had been discussed with Strat Board a, who have committed to further work with all three local authorities to assess carbon impacts, which had previously been a challenge to assess.

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and City Centre, confirmed that Councillors were the data controllers and suggested that Members should receive a briefing on the subject.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Data Strategy as set out in Appendix A of the report presented at the meeting.