Digital Communities

• Project sits within the Innovation Workstream and is one of six key ambitions in Digital Falkirk, our digital strategy
• The aim of the project is to ensure an inclusive approach to digital services – for communities and employees
• Links with four other COTF projects (Automation, CCTV, Office Accommodation, Anytime Anywhere), and Communities Workstream
• Four projects work side-by-side to deliver on the aim of the project – Connected Individuals; Households & Communities; Connectivity; Hybrid Cloud & Modern Workplace; Unified Customer Journey
• There have been a raft of achievements to date, including helping the digitally excluded get online during the pandemic – a lifeline for many
• The project also ensured employees had the IT kit needed to work from home, helping to ensure council services remained running during the pandemic
• The Foundry has also been kitted out with the latest tech thanks to the project team
• Next steps:
  • continue to support those at risk of digital exclusion investigate utilising the CCTV monitoring system to monitor a range of alarm systems (from flood to barrier systems and panic alarms) assess impact on wellbeing through the provision of Wi-Fi in some council properties commission and install infrastructure at Community Stadium provide recommendations re: rationalisation of all Customer Relationship Management systems
  • Expected benefits range from minimisation of digital exclusion and maximisation of digital inclusion for community and businesses, to the provision of unified, user friendly and intuitive customer facing processes
• The project is projected to save £145k 2022/23 through efficiencies in processes

Operational Property Assets

• Links to Property Strategy and the delivery of the SPR implementation plan
• 4 key programmes of work:?
  1. Corporate Landlord (business as usual) – 3-month project that will embed a corporate approach to managing our property assets. Report expected early 2022. Key benefits include corporate management of all property projects, single point of contact for all property issues, and robust maintenance strategies
  2. Office Transformation (COTF) – project will result in fewer offices that are sustainable and meet the changing needs of services and employees (new ways of working)?
  3. HQ/Arts Centre (COTF) – aims to deliver a replacement HQ and Arts Centre
  4. Learning & Community Estate (COTF) – aim of the project is to not only increase use of properties through co-location of/shared services, but also community capacity and Community Asset Transfers. Through community engagement, develop options to meet education needs and community aspirations
• An update report on the Property Strategy is being prepared for January Executive

Next meeting: 21 December