The Community, Cultural, and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the first year delivery report of the council's digital strategy, and to consider the data informing proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR). The committee reviewed the progress of the digital strategy, provided feedback on priorities for the coming year, and discussed areas for future focus. Councillors also examined data sets related to LGR, exploring potential impacts and raising concerns about resident representation and service delivery.

Digital Strategy 2024-2029: First Year Delivery Report

The committee reviewed the first year delivery report of the Digital Strategy 2024-2029, which aims to put people at the heart of digital transformation, close the digital divide, enhance connectivity, and foster innovation across the county.

Pete Lloyd, Director of Digital, presented the report, highlighting achievements across six core ambitions:

1. Building digital partnerships: This includes agreements with 628 schools for live attendance data, donation of over 700 laptops via the Good Things Foundation, and support for over 5,000 people to get online via library services.
2. Providing a great digital experience for residents: This includes the introduction of a virtual agent called Rose, redesign of the Report It Lancashire app, launch of a new Blue Badge service, and implementation of a one-channel approach to capture resident interactions.
3. Driving innovation from data insights and artificial intelligence (AI): This includes engagement with over 40 services to understand data maturity, rollout of generative AI with training for over 1,200 people, and deployment of Copilot Pro licences.
4. Creating technical foundations: This includes reducing the number of applications used by the council from 600 to 350, releasing 185 servers, and developing a technical strategy focused on simplification and cloud migration.
5. Building digital skills, culture, and new ways of working: This includes a new model for ICT support, development of a new intranet, and internal digital champions.
6. Leveraging digital in social care: This includes 6,000 referrals through the children's portal and 1,700 virtual memory boxes for people in care.

Councillor David Dwyer, Cabinet Member for Data, Technology, Customer and Efficiency, noted that the strategy was set by the previous administration and that Councillor Buckley was a key champion of it. He also mentioned that there would be a slight refresh of the strategy coming to the cabinet after Christmas.

Councillor Potter raised concerns about digital exclusion, estimating that 30-40% of the population is digitally excluded, particularly in rural areas. He noted the lack of mention of community centres in the report, and suggested that centres like the Intact Centre could play a role in reaching those who are not digitally native.

In response, Pete Lloyd, Director of Digital, acknowledged the importance of digital inclusion beyond connectivity and expressed a willingness to meet with Councillor Potter to discuss his ideas. He also committed to providing councillors with information on how residents can access support for devices, data, training, and skills.

Councillor Gummer raised concerns about residents not receiving notifications about roadworks in their area. Pete Lloyd, Director of Digital, responded that the council has a mature GIS¹ offering and is working on a replacement for the highways asset management system to improve the availability of information to residents.

Councillor Motala raised concerns about residents in their 70s and 80s who do not have access to the internet or devices and cannot afford these services due to the cost of living crisis. They emphasised the need to ensure that isolated residents are included in the strategy and have access to support services.

The Data for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

The committee considered data sets related to local government reorganisation (LGR) in Lancashire. The government has asked councils in Lancashire to consider proposals to create a single tier of unitary local government in the county.

Councillor Simon Evans introduced the item, noting the administration's concerns about LGR but recognising it as government policy. He emphasised the importance of a data-driven and evidence-based approach to the issue.

Councillors were presented with an overview of the data and analysis considered, including:

• Lancashire 15 Common Dataset
• 31Ten Service Baseline Analysis
• Metro Dynamics Socio Economic Baseline Analysis
• Cratus Analysis Report on Resident Engagement
• Cratus Analysis Report on Stakeholder Engagement
• Newton Europe People Services Analysis
• Newton Europe National Report

The options currently being considered in Lancashire are:

• 2 Unitary Authorities North and South
• 3 Unitary Authorities North, South and East
• 4 Unitary Authorities North, West, South and East
• 4 Unitary Authorities Option B
• 5 Unitary Authorities North, West, South, East, Pennine

Councillor Gummer raised concerns that the data showed residents were not in favour of changing the current system, with 63% satisfied with how it is and only 23% welcoming unitaries.

Councillor Ash expressed concern that smaller areas would be overlooked in a larger unitary council and that council tax could increase.

Councillor Potter noted that Surrey County Council had been given a 2 unitary option despite 9 of 11 district councils wanting a 3 unitary option, and asked whether what the council said actually mattered.

Councillor Riggott said that the survey responses were heavily skewed to one area, with nearly 12,000 responses coming from one district.

Councillor Motala raised concerns about staffing allocations and the impact on staff morale during the reorganisation.

The decision on the preferred option for the county council will be made by the council's Cabinet on 27 November 2025, with the Full Council meeting on 20 November 2025 providing an opportunity to debate the preferred option and provide recommendations and feedback to Cabinet.

Community, Cultural and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2025/26

Councillor Riggott requested that the council's improvement plan be added to the work programme, which was agreed. He also questioned whether the Farington Cricket Facility was appropriate for this committee, given its focus on economy, environment, and transport.