Friday
19
April
Digital plans approved with Welsh Government backing
27/11/2019 @ 01:47
The Welsh Government has backed plans to digitalise Powys County Council services with more than £900,000 of funding towards the project.
The council's cabinet has approved its 'Digital Powys Strategy' that will see residents and other customers engaging with services digitally.
A meeting has today approved the plans.
At the meeting portfolio holder for corporate governance and engagement, Cllr Graham Breeze revealed that £908,564 had been given to PCC from Cardiff Bay.
Cllr Breeze said: “I’m absolutely delighted to confirm that £908,564 from (the) Welsh Government to enable the fast track customer solutions and information excellence. This is a hugely important step forward for Powys.
“There’s wide recognition out there that public services need radical transformation to keep pace with digital evolution and customer expectation as well as finding new ways to add value.”
Cllr Breeze added that Microsoft Office 365 software and “cloud based solutions” would be used by PCC.
Corporate director for Transformation, Vanessa Young, explained further: “This is a really exciting strategy. It’s been a little while in development over the last six months.
“We’ve done quite a lot of engagement with our citizens and partners and staff to make sure this strategy reflects both our aspirations but also what we think is achievable between now and 2025. It's about improving customer experience.
“Welsh Government funding is a great boost for us in terms of accelerating the first phase of that programme but there will still be a lot more to do.”
Ms Young added that a business case is now being discussed for phase two of the strategy.
Portfolio holder for Adult Services, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander added: “It’s easy for us to underestimate sometimes the way in which old people take to these sorts of systems very quickly, particularly when they actually combat things like loneliness. It really enhances their lives.
“A lot of our workforce spend a lot of time driving and if you can meet your client digitally, it means that you’re spending 45 minutes engaging with the client, rather than a 20 minute visit and an hour and a half driving.”
Council leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, added: “This is an exciting project, there are so many aspects to it, so many pluses. The benefits of the strategy according to the report, are:
Customer interaction with the council will become quicker and easier leading to improved customer satisfaction.
Technology will contribute to supporting people to live independently in their communities.
An improved relationship with partners to safeguard our most vulnerable people.
Business communities will be supported to thrive in the digital age.
Improved joined services through shared information and technology.
Reduced costs to focus PCC’s limited resources on providing services that improve well being.
Information will be safe and secure and used appropriately.
The council's cabinet has approved its 'Digital Powys Strategy' that will see residents and other customers engaging with services digitally.
A meeting has today approved the plans.At the meeting portfolio holder for corporate governance and engagement, Cllr Graham Breeze revealed that £908,564 had been given to PCC from Cardiff Bay.
Cllr Breeze said: “I’m absolutely delighted to confirm that £908,564 from (the) Welsh Government to enable the fast track customer solutions and information excellence. This is a hugely important step forward for Powys.
“There’s wide recognition out there that public services need radical transformation to keep pace with digital evolution and customer expectation as well as finding new ways to add value.”
Cllr Breeze added that Microsoft Office 365 software and “cloud based solutions” would be used by PCC.
Corporate director for Transformation, Vanessa Young, explained further: “This is a really exciting strategy. It’s been a little while in development over the last six months.
“We’ve done quite a lot of engagement with our citizens and partners and staff to make sure this strategy reflects both our aspirations but also what we think is achievable between now and 2025. It's about improving customer experience.
“Welsh Government funding is a great boost for us in terms of accelerating the first phase of that programme but there will still be a lot more to do.”
Ms Young added that a business case is now being discussed for phase two of the strategy.
Portfolio holder for Adult Services, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander added: “It’s easy for us to underestimate sometimes the way in which old people take to these sorts of systems very quickly, particularly when they actually combat things like loneliness. It really enhances their lives.
“A lot of our workforce spend a lot of time driving and if you can meet your client digitally, it means that you’re spending 45 minutes engaging with the client, rather than a 20 minute visit and an hour and a half driving.”
Council leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, added: “This is an exciting project, there are so many aspects to it, so many pluses. The benefits of the strategy according to the report, are:
Customer interaction with the council will become quicker and easier leading to improved customer satisfaction.
Technology will contribute to supporting people to live independently in their communities.
An improved relationship with partners to safeguard our most vulnerable people.
Business communities will be supported to thrive in the digital age.
Improved joined services through shared information and technology.
Reduced costs to focus PCC’s limited resources on providing services that improve well being.
Information will be safe and secure and used appropriately.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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