Decision details

4        DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES POLICY UPDATE – The Director: Governance and Partnerships submitted a report seeking approval of an updated Digital Technologies Policy.

Information was a key council asset and it was crucial that it was looked after with the same care as other important assets, such as finance, people, land and property.

The Information Governance Framework comprised a series of specific policy and procedural schedules relating to the management and security of information and personal data.  They set out how the council would comply with legal and best practice requirements governing information management.  These requirements included the UK General Data Protection Regulation/Data Protection Act 2018 and the Freedom of Information Act.

The Digital Technologies Policy previously formed part of a suite of policies contained within the HR framework given its original focus on staff conduct issues.

However, over time the emphasis of the policy had changed to, primarily, the management and protection of information associated with IT use and as such was now considered to be more appropriately aligned with the Information Governance Framework.

The report set out the key changes in policy.  The policy was proposed for further review in Quarter 2 2021 to reflect the implementation of the Microsoft 365 suite of products, associated learning and protocols for their use moving forward.

Resolved – (a) That the updated Digital Technologies Policy be approved, and (b) that the policy be formalised as a new schedule to the Information Governance Framework.