Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

It was agreed that for future meetings of the Board, a pre-meeting would only be held when deemed necessary.  Members would be notified on a meeting by meeting basis whether or not a pre-meeting was required.

To note the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 April 2016

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2016 were noted.

Briefing note

The Board received a presentation on progress made on the Digital Coventry Strategy.  The draft strategy had been circulated to members.

The draft Strategy stated that it was important that Coventry understood how to harness the changes being brought about by advances in digital technology to the best effect for the Council, its customers and residents.  It was also important that, despite the widespread nature and uptake of digital technology, residents who did not have the skills or access to take advantage of the opportunity were not left behind.

The Council was facing significant challenges in respect of funding, capacity and all of the expertise to deliver the digital innovation that would benefit the City and work was needed to ensure that the workforce had the skills to deal with the digital age.

In summary the Digital Coventry aims were:

·  Economic growth

·  Education and skills wellbeing

·  Resident and business demand

·  Deliver of public service differently – productivity and savings

·  Attract, direct and prioritise funding - harness partner effort.

·  State ambition and direction

·  Encourage people to work together

Members questioned officers on aspects of their presentation including matters relating to the disparity of broadband speeds across the City, how the Council engaged with young people, cyber security and what work was being done for those residents who could not access technology.  In respect of the latter, it was explained that driving forward the digital agenda would provide efficiencies that would allow assistance for those residents who did not have access to online services.

Following discussion, the Board agreed that a task and finish group be established jointly with Scrutiny Board 3 to help shape the digital strategy.  Meanwhile work would continue to build digital into service planning.

RESOLVED that the Board

(1)  Note the presentation and draft Digital Strategy

(2)  Establish a Joint Task and Finish group with the Business, Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Board (3) comprising the following members:  Councillors Kelly, McNicholas, Mayer, Brown and Ridley.

(3)  Receive a report of the above mentioned Task and Finish group in due course.

Outstanding issues have been picked up in the Work Programme

There were no outstanding issues.

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The 2016/17 work programme was noted and it was agreed a briefing note be presented to the September meeting on the funding currently received by the Council from the EU.

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved

There were no other items of public business.