Agenda item

The attached annex is an update on City of York Council’s ICT Strategy and E-democracy capability.

Members considered a report and annex that updated them on City of York Council’s (CYC) ICT Strategy and E-democracy capability.

The Assistant Director of Customer Services and Digital gave an update and confirmed that Officers were continuing to develop the Council’s digital engagement options to provide residents with various routes to access services online. She highlighted the online statistics around website usage, webcasting and modgov. It was noted that within this particular financial year resident digital engagement had significantly increased due to the launch of new online services and the introduction of MyAccount. 

The Head of Communications informed Members that following the purchase of a new software licence, consultation and engagement with residents online could take place in a variety of ways. It was noted that the Regional Adoption Agency had hosted a successful live question and answer session on Facebook and a selection of ward committees were now piloting online question and answer sessions at their meetings. 

In answer to Members questions regarding public engagement Officers stated that:

·        residents could manage council tax and benefit services from MyAccount as well as report on environmental issues. More services would be made available through MyAccount in the future, including all of street and waste services and council tax eBilling.

·        they were engaging with sector partners to tackle digital inclusion and would always provide residents with various options to contact the Council.

·        they would list any abbreviations used in future reports and would consider the professional jargon used.

·        they would investigate CYC’s website search engine function, particularly when trying to locate information on Councillors and democracy.

Members discussed Councillor digital engagement for current and prospective Members and the potential use of IT and video conferencing solutions to allow them to actively participate in public meetings when it was not possible to attend. Officers confirmed that the technology was available but that more engagement with all Councillors was required to identify their requirements and how the different interaction options would be managed in a meeting. 

Members discussed CYC’s website and it was noted that:

·        new Councillors should receive a more detailed overview of the digital options and tools available to them.

·        the current reporting tool for Members could be simplified.

Members considered the options put forward in the report and were pleased to note that digital services had grown allowing residents the option to have a digital relationship with the Council.

Resolved:

                     I.        That the content of the report and the associated annex be noted.

                   II.        That an E-Democracy update report be received in six months’ time.

                 III.        That options to progress Councillor digital engagement be delegated to Officers for consideration, in conjunction with the Chair and that any further information be reported back to the Committee in due course and potentially as part of the above 6 monthly update.

                 IV.        That the web team investigate CYC’s website search engine function, particularly when trying to locate information on Councillors and democracy.

Reason:     To ensure that the Council was providing the most appropriate and up to date technology to support engagement in democratic processes.