Agenda item

Agenda item

Future Shape of the Council - Digital, Estates, Ways of Working and ICT strategy

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer

 

This report has been written to provide an update on the Future Shape Programme including an update on Development of the ICT Strategy and the Estates Strategy (linked to how we work) and how they relate to the programme. 

 

Future Shape of the Council is a two-year transformation programme designed to enable MCC to be in the best possible shape to deliver its ambitions as set out in the Our Manchester Strategy whilst meeting the external challenges the council face from budget pressures and the response and recovery to Covid 19.

 

The digital agenda, Estates and Ways of Working forms a major workstream within the Future Shape programme and ICT support will be integral to its successful delivery. This paper sets out this work.

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer that provided an update on the Future Shape Programme including an update on Development of the ICT Strategy and the Estates Strategy (linked to how we worked) and how they related to the programme. 

 

Key points and themes in the report included:

 

·         The Future Council programme objectives and overview of workstreams;

·         An overview of the digitally integrated council workstream;

·         The role of ICT in the successful delivery of the programme, along with progress to date on the draft ICT Strategy and future target operating model for the service; and

·         The role of Estates and ways of working in the successful delivery of the programme.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

 

·         Whilst supporting the ambitions described it was important to recognise that many residents experienced digital exclusion, as a result of a range of reasons and the need to ensure that residents could contact the Council through traditional methods, such as via a telephone call;

·         Noting the importance of reliable WIFI and appropriate devices to ensure staff could undertake their work in an appropriate and safe manner, with particular reference to the important work of Social Workers;

·         Information was sought as to the delivery and nature of Social Value as part of this programme of work;

·         What security measures were in place for devices, such as laptops that staff were now asked to bring with them to allow them to work in offices and remotely; and

·         Requesting that a briefing note be circulated to members of the Committee that described the discussions and agreements reached regarding staff health and safety considerations and mobile working.

 

The Head of Customer Services recognised the comments expressed regarding the need to maintain the provision of face-to-face appointments and telephone contact as a means for residents to contact the Council. He stated that these would continue to be provided. He advised that the programme described would improve all channels of communications. The Leader commented that in the previous two years the contact centre had taken in excess of 400,000 calls each year and suggested that this would be captured in future update reports to provide an assurance to the Committee.

 

The Director of ICT stated that he recognised the importance of WIFI for staff, including Social Workers, to enable them to undertake their duties. He described that services and sites, such as district offices where Social Workers were located would be prioritised as part of the implementation plan, noting the global supply issue that had hampered the delivery of the project, however he advised the Committee that this issue had been escalated with the supplier.  

 

The Director of ICT stated that Social Value would be delivered through the contracts awarded in the delivery of this programme, with an emphasis on the Year of the Child. The Leader stated that a more detailed report on the delivery of Social Value across this and a range of projects could be provided for consideration at a future meeting.

 

The Director of ICT commented that a briefing note could be provided to all Members regarding the proposals for the IT arrangements in the Members work room. The Deputy Leader stated that a fixed PC would be available for Members in the work room.

 

The Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer informed the Committee that a significant amount of work had been undertaken with Health and Safety colleagues to ensure the devices and laptop bags selected for staff were appropriate and all devices were encrypted, adding that the laptops also replaced the traditional landline, and that where required the appropriate devices were used, such as using mobile phones for Social Workers.

 

Decision

 

The Committee:-

 

(1)      Notes the report.

(2)      Recommends that a briefing note be circulated to members of the Committee that describes the discussions and agreements reached regarding staff health and safety considerations and mobile working.

 

Supporting documents: