Purpose

Proposed decision
 
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member
for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to agree to the adoption
of theKCC Digital Strategy 2024-2027.
 
Reason for the decision
KCC
requires a Digital Strategy to coordinate and
drive digital transformation activity and to provide an overarching
framework that encompasses KCC’s current and future digitally
focused strategies and policies.
 
Background
KCC
has a Technology Strategy but has never had a
Digital Strategy. The Digital Strategy will
focus on how KCC exploits technology to support and facilitate
better digital experiences.
 
Options (other options considered but discarded)
Do nothing –
discarded.
 
How the proposed decision supports the

Framing Kent's Future - Our Council
Strategy 2022-2026
This Strategy directly
supports KCC response within the KCC Strategy, “Framing
Kent’s Future, 2022-26”. Within this, KCC emphasise the
importance of further digitising our services to improve the
experiences of both our staff and our residents, the significance
of investing in our ICT infrastructure and harnessing digital
technologies. Substantial investments in technology have already
been made, establishing robust architecture, and implementing
modern internal tools, such as the enterprise-level Microsoft 365
environment. These advancements have significantly improved our
technological foundations, providing a strong basis for the next
phase of digital transformation, which will empower staff to excel
in their roles, and improve customer experience for the residents
of Kent. This is further demonstrated through our commitment to the
Local Digital Declaration.
 
How
the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s
Future
 The Digital Strategy supports the Council’s
Securing Kent’s Future strategy, which states “The
Digital Strategy sets out how the council can accelerate digital
change to drive further efficiencies whilst also improving service
quality and responsiveness.”
 
Objective Four of
Securing Kent’s Future Strategy identifies the requirement
for “Further transforming the operating model of the
Council” and that “almost certainly, KCC will need to
be a leaner organisation” and “drive new ICT and
digital capabilities into its core service
offer”. 
 

Decision

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for
Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to the adoption of
the Kent County Council Digital Strategy 2024-2027.