The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Hosted Services met to discuss the Cumbria Digital Infrastructure Strategy, the programme of proposed disaggregation of hosted services, and the committee's work programme. The committee requested more information on the rationale for disaggregation of the occupational health service, and agreed to add scrutiny of the Enterprising Cumbria budget and the disaggregation of County ICT systems to their work programme. They also agreed to ask the devolved authorities to undertake ongoing monitoring of services post disaggregation.

Cumbria Digital Infrastructure Strategy 2026-2030

The committee received an update on the development of the Cumbria Digital Infrastructure Strategy 2026-2030, which is expected to be considered by the Cumbria Joint Executive Committee (JEC) in November 2025. The strategy will replace the current Cumbria Digital Infrastructure Strategy 2020-2025, which expires on 31 December 2025.

The report noted that delivery of the current strategy has had a significant impact on improving digital infrastructure across Cumbria. However, without a further strategy, it is expected that:

• Gigabit broadband services will only reach up to approximately 97% of properties in the county, leaving over 9,000 properties without future-proof services.
• Outdoor 4G mobile coverage from all Mobile Network Operators will cover approximately 80% of the Cumbria landmass by 2027.
• Coverage for standalone 5G may be limited to under 50% of the Cumbria landmass.

The draft DIS 2026 has been developed around three strategic objectives:

1. Cumbria to catch up with and keep in step with UK levels of connectivity, supporting resilient connectivity for people at home, at work, or on the move.
2. Connectivity to support the delivery of innovative, inclusive, and effective services across all departments of both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, creating the conditions for greater use of smart services and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
3. Deliver the connectivity to enhance business productivity, encouraging investment into the county, and to allow Cumbria to secure and retain globally excellent digital activity into the future.

The DIS 2026 is focused on infrastructure but will support the work of other services and programmes to encourage expanded digital connectivity and digital inclusion. The DIS 2026 will specifically support, but not lead, delivery of Cumbria programmes on AI, data centres, digital customer services and inclusion.

The proposed action plan activities are split into four themes:

• Making Cumbria's Voice Heard
• Supporting and Monitoring Investment
• Delivery of Intervention
• Research and Futureproofing

The DIS 2026 will work towards universal mobile and broadband connectivity and will use the following Key Performance Indicators to show progress:

• % of properties able to access Gigabit capable (1,000 Mbps) broadband services
• % of properties able to access 30Mbps (superfast) broadband services
• % of properties unable to access services of at least 10Mbps (basic broadband)
• 4G Mobile coverage % outdoor geographic coverage by all MNOs of the Cumbria landmass
• 5G Mobile coverage % outdoor geographic coverage by all MNOs of the Cumbria landmass.

Programme of Proposed Disaggregation

The committee received an update regarding progress against the proposed disaggregation programme for hosted services in Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council.

Since the previous report to the committee on 5 September 2025, there have been no further disaggregation of services.

Table 1 of the report outlines those services that have been successfully disaggregated since the programme commenced on 1 April 2023.

On 8 September 2025 the Joint Executive Committee:

• Noted the update on progress of the disaggregation programme and the disaggregation of the Human Resources (HR) Payroll Administration: Payroll and HR Administration Services on 31 July 2025.
• Noted that the future options in relation to the pending disaggregation of the Occupational Health Service was considered at the Joint Officer Board meeting held on 12 August 2025.

Table 2 of the report details services that are now due to disaggregate, and includes the addition of The Residential, Edge of Care and Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service and Fostering Service, which were agreed to disaggregate by 31 March 2026 at the Joint Executive Committee on 7 July 2025, with an update report due at the next Joint Executive Committee on 10 November 2025.

At the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 5 September, further information was requested on the plan to disaggregate ICT service currently hosted by Cumberland. An update report on this will be provided to the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 1 December 2025.

Table 3 outlines the services currently hosted under a long-term arrangement.

On 13 August 2024 the Joint Officer Board agreed to undertake a joint audit of governance arrangements for hosted services; the audit being undertaken by Cumberland Internal Audit. The final report was issued on 6 June 2025 and the audit assurance opinion was reasonable.

The Terms of Reference set out within the IAA state that the Joint Executive Committee is responsible for reviewing the performance of hosted services against budget and indicators for service quality, performance and efficiency. Quarterly performance metrics reports for 2024/25 have been provided to the committee in September 2024, November 2024, March 2025 and July 2025. The 2025/26 performance reporting will be updated to include those services subsequently moved into long-term hosted arrangements from April 25, in line with Audit recommendations. 2025/26 Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 performance monitoring is due at Joint Executive Committee in November 2025 and January 2026 respectively.

Committee Update and Work Programme

The committee reviewed progress on actions from previous meetings and reviewed and agreed changes to the work programme.

The committee agreed to add scrutiny of the Enterprising Cumbria budget and the disaggregation of County ICT systems to the work programme.

The committee requested details of the Cumbria Work and Health Board membership and the rationale for the disaggregation of the occupational health service.

The committee agreed to ask the devolved authorities to undertake ongoing monitoring of services post disaggregation.

Councillor Mark Rudhall, Deputy Chair of Council, noted that the discussions had shown the need to conduct pre-decision scrutiny to allow the Committee to input into future JEC decisions.

The committee noted that the next meeting would include an online session on Household Waste Recycling Centres.