To approve the Information & ICT Strategy.

The Cabinet Member ICT, Education and Achievement introduced the report to Cabinet and emphasised how important the strategy was in relation to savings being made across the organisation.  He added that he was aware of concerns about how information was stored and who would have access but reassured Cabinet that these issues had been dealt with.

The following points were discussed:

·         The ICT provision covers both Hereford Council and NHS Herefordshire (PCT) and is proposed to cover other partner organisations in the future.

·         When considering the objectives Cabinet was reminded that the strategy was about making the best use and value for money out of the current systems by working with staff and customers.

·         The importance of delivery of electronic services was emphasised and the need to preserve and make data available to all relevant staff.  There were high ambitions for the improvement of broadband across the county with national and local support and the strategy set out the future aims.

·         The strategy was for five years and would be refined on a yearly basis.  Data would be stored at three data centres and data would be available to anyone with the correct authorised access.

RESOLVED

         THAT:    a)         the importance of information and ICT as being critical to delivering the Council’s objectives be acknowledged; and

                        b)         the strategy be approved.