Council to spend £5 million on digital improvements

Powys County Council has announced a four-year plan to invest more than £5 million in digital improvements, including creation of mobile apps and AI powered services.

These improvements aim to offer residents and businesses in Powys more choices and make the Council more resilient.

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According to the Council, the funding will be allocated to over 15 separate projects that align with the council's vision of creating a stronger, fairer, and greener Powys.

The projects that are funded may change, following an assessment of detailed business cases, while others are also likely to be added to the initial list of 15:

• A new system for sharing information between community health and social care services.
• A new system for managing council houses and providing services to tenants.
• The transfer of council services, reliant on copper phone lines, over to digital networks.
• A new system for managing planning, building control, land charges, public protection, and private sector housing services and for providing public access to them.
• The use of sensors and other remote technology to help monitor vulnerable people in their own homes, as an aid to care services.
• The transfer to a more secure and robust online storage system for council data.
• An AI-powered (artificial intelligence) online chat system for residents and businesses to use when contacting the council.
• The use of sensors and other remote technology to help monitor environmental changes.
• A mobile app that will allow residents and businesses to stay logged into their My Powys account.
• Transformation of Powys' Property, Planning and Public Protection Services.
• The expansion of My Powys Accounts to include more services.
• A new online printing and posting system for council staff to use.
• A Powys staff mobile app that will allow more tasks to be completed on phones or tablets.
• A health and care mobile app that will allow residents to access both council and NHS services through a single account.
• The use of a community platform in Powys to help people ask for, and offer, care or support through either paid for or voluntary services.

Cllr David Thomas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation said:

"This ambitious digital programme is about meeting the expectation of those who come to us for help, information, or advice, who want more choice and flexibility around how and when they contact us,"

"It will also result in fundamental changes to the way the council operates, with the aim of delivering services in a more cost-effective way, and greater convenience to customers."

Cllr Jake Berriman, the Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys, emphasized the potential of new technologies to improve the lives of residents, particularly the most vulnerable. He highlighted the ongoing transformation work already leading to service improvements and better customer experiences.

More information on the council's Digital Powys programme: Digital Powys