Council recognised for top technology roll-out
North Lanarkshire Council has been recognised by the public spending watchdog as a leader in its roll-out of digital technology.
In its latest report, Audit Scotland has highlighted that the local authority is heading up the way in transforming services by digital technology.
The report revealed how the council has used innovative online systems throughout its response to the Covid-19 pandemic to improve services accessed by local people.
The council’s strengthened digital infrastructure has also enabled staff to work remotely, creating a more flexible and agile workforce while developing new systems to boost local services.
Des Murray, council chief executive, said: “This report highlights the ambitious objectives we have for boosting connectivity and technology in North Lanarkshire.
“This isn’t just about investing in new hardware; this is about ensuring we have the right technology in place to deliver the crucial services our communities need and expect.
“The Audit Scotland report shows we are making positive preparations to move forward not just through the challenges of this pandemic, but the changing landscape we are going to face moving forward.
“When the lockdown began last year, we had to ensure a rapid mobilisation of agile working, but before that we were already preparing our mobile working technology.
“We had to make sure our employees had the right devices, training and equipment to enable them to work in different circumstances.”
The report praised the council for having: a comprehensive corporate communications strategy to support digital roll-out; a dedicated board to implement its Digital NL objectives; a network of Digital Transformers to create learning and development opportunities; plans in place to implement new products and systems to meet its Digital NL aims; and an “agile” approach with staff groups to develop and test solutions that meet users’ needs.
Mr Murray added: “Agile working is about bringing people, processes and technology together to find the best way of carrying out tasks.
“None of that would be possible without the outstanding workforce we have and how well they have adapted to the unprecedented challenges we’ve faced during this pandemic.
“By properly deploying and harnessing the power of technology, we can improve services for our residents and service users and look towards a brighter future.”