Kirklees Technology Strategy 2020 - 2025 March 2020 Version 1.0 Introduction: This strategy shows how we will embrace modern technology to have a positive impact on the people of Kirklees and deliver the shared outcomes for our borough. Introduction: People, Partners, Place: Modern society has become dependent on technology and it is an Technology alone cannot deliver change. We need to innovate and intrinsic part of our everyday lives, our work and leisure time. transform by working and engaging with people. We need to build Technology brings opportunity to do things differently and more relationships based on trust with partners, businesses and communities effectively, however, it can also introduce complexity and inequalities to provide solutions and make the most of the opportunity technology which need to be carefully managed. can present. We intend to become an exemplar demonstrating how an ambitious Place-based working starts with an intelligence-led recognition of the and confident technology strategy can have a positive impact on diversity and strengths to be found across Kirklees. We recognise that people’s lives and our environment. technology is not a one size fits all solution. For technology to be relevant to the diverse people and communities, we need to work with people in As a result of this strategy, we expect to: the design, development and delivery of services. • Support our colleagues to be effective; It is important to realise the benefits of working in partnership with • Improve the resilience of our core technology services; many groups so we can build on our joint strengths to deliver this • Drive efficiency through improved business processes; strategy. We have consulted with and will continue to work with: • Keep information secure and derive intelligence from it; • Councilors and senior leadership teams; • Ensure everyone has the capability to be digitally included; • Delivery and enabling teams, e.g. Kirklees Digital Partnership; • Connect businesses, people and technology across Kirklees; • Strategic plans, e.g. Huddersfield and Dewsbury Blueprints; • Create innovation over the internet. • Partners including NHS, Locala, WYCA and Network Rail; The purpose of this strategy is to describe the framework and • Huddersfield University and Kirklees College; ambitions to deliver opportunities for change over five years. • Voluntary sector, e.g. Conscious Youth CIC; The plan will articulate the immediate future and will be reviewed on • People in Kirklees on specific projects, e.g. carers; an annual basis to ensure it remains relevant and continues to support • Businesses and digital infrastructure providers. the delivery of our corporate plan. Why technology is important and what it must support: Global and national influences Kirklees Council’s Corporate Plan The Internet and Technology have significantly changed the way we do The technology strategy will support the delivery of our Corporate Plan business, the way we communicate, and the places in which we live, “Our vision for Kirklees is to be a district which combines a strong, work and play. sustainable economy with a great quality of life – leading to thriving communities, growing businesses, high prosperity and low inequality Technology, and its impact, is changing at a rapid pace. The way where people enjoy better health throughout their lives.” consumers use technology, communicate and transact with organisations will change the way Kirklees Council delivers services. Kirklees has some of the best digital connectivity in the country and can underpin plans for the regeneration of our major towns and places. We need to work with people to ensure that those who use the services we provide benefit from these advancements, but we must also ensure We will put people at the heart of our strategy, so they are able to benefit any risks are managed effectively. and feel included when accessing and using technology services. The following are key national themes we must consider the We will work with partners to provide technology services across Kirklees opportunity and impact of: that address the diverse needs of people and places. • The internet on our town centres; • The increasing importance of environmental sustainability; • Exponential growth of consumer technology; • Full fibre networks and rollout of 5G within 5 years; • Decommissioning of traditional telephone services; • Cyber as a Tier 1 threat to National Security; • Intelligent devices in digitally connected places; • Advances in machine learning and voice technology; • Move away from closed public sector networks; • Privacy and ethical use of data. Our vision and ambitions: “We will work together to deliver innovative, effective and sustainable technology services that are designed around our diverse places and the needs of our people, partners and businesses.” Getting the basics right. Developing inclusive technology and skills. We will provide the right tools and technology for people to Working with partners across sectors, we will invest in new efficiently and effectively do their job requiring little technology and skills to develop a digitally capable workforce intervention from the IT service, ensuring their needs are at and improve skills and opportunities for residents to support the heart of the service we deliver. them in the internet age. Enabling resilient and available infrastructure. Connecting people, business and technology. We will develop an internet first approach for partnership We will facilitate significant infrastructure investment across working built on highly-available, ultrafast connectivity with Kirklees to support business growth, inclusive connectivity for resilient services in key locations across Kirklees. people and wide-ranging capabilities via internet connected devices. Commissioning applications fit for the future. Delivering class leading internet services. We will collaborate with services in their redesign and We will create and deliver class leading services designed transformation, rationalising the applications and enabling around the people that use them, in ways that meet the the efficiency of business processes designed around the needs and expectations of the internet age. needs of people. Using data intelligently and securely. We will ensure the accurate, secure and timely collection of data to derive intelligence and value for the council and partners and empower people to make informed decisions. Getting the basics right: “We will provide the right tools and technology for people to efficiently and effectively do their job requiring little intervention from the IT service, ensuring their needs are at the heart of the service we deliver.” We will deliver an ambitious strategy that increases the positive impact The outcomes we expect: that technology has on the Council, its shared outcomes and the people we serve. We provide fundamental services that the workforce, • Our workforce will be empowered and skilled to make the best use depend on to do their jobs and for Council operations to run smoothly. of technology. They will have access to the technology they need to Thus, whilst we are ambitious, we need to get the basics right for the work efficiently and effectively in any location. council to be efficient and effective. • They will experience less disruption as a result of technology issues. We must ensure that people are at the heart of everything we do by When issues occur, they will have access to a more consistent and understanding their needs and providing them with the tools and excellent customer experience. technologies they need to do their jobs well. These services must be • They will engage with a proactive, business-led service which puts resilient but if issues do occur, we want to minimise disruption. We their needs at the heart of everything it does. Their business need to modernise our service through new delivery models that are as challenges will be understood, and we will work together to customer centric and automated as possible. implement technology solutions. We need to move from being a simple provider of technology, towards • They will benefit from the transformation opportunities of a business solutions provider and transformation partner. This will technology and potential benefits for the environment and their involve proactive engagement with our customers to understand wellbeing. business challenges and co-design solutions that increase their efficiency and effectiveness. What have we achieved so far: We will strive to use the power of technology as an enabler of change • Over 6000 Windows 10 devices with Office 365 have been deployed to support our customers to realise the exponential impact it can have resulting in far greater opportunities to work flexibly. on all of the council’s strategic outcomes. This will require collaboration with them and the people of Kirklees to proactively engage, educate, • Provided the capability for video conferencing into 26 meeting rooms identify opportunities, and co-design solutions. with the provision of audio-visual equipment. Getting the basics right: “We will provide the right tools and technology for people to efficiently and effectively do their job requiring little intervention from the IT service, ensuring their needs are at the heart of the service we deliver.” What we plan to do: 1. Engage with our customers: We will make changes to become a more customer-led service, creating a proactive engagement function to work with colleagues to manage their business