COUNCILLORS are set to welcome the progress made in delivering a more digital Flintshire.

Flintshire Council has already completed many of the objectives set out in the original Digital Strategy covering 2017 to 2022.

Cabinet members will be asked to approve the refreshed strategy covering up to 2026 when they meet next week on Tuesday, July 13.

COVID-19 has been highlighted as one factor which forced an 'accelerated demand' for the delivery of digital services.

Flintshire’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Assets, Cllr Billy Mullin, said: “It is appropriate to review and revise the strategy at this time.

"We are proposing a revised draft of the Strategy which incorporates our learning, experiences, growth and ambition.

"It also features a separate theme with objectives to help reduce the exclusion that can be suffered without access to the skills, devices or connectivity needed to take advantage of digital services."

The Council is now delivering many services in a different way and we need to refocus our ambitions and approach to delivering our duties and obligations.

Some examples of work undertaken throughout the pandemic and during recovery are as follows:

• Enabling remote learning by providing remote access solutions to schools;

• Supplying devices and mobile Wi-Fi units to digitally disadvantaged learners throughout Flintshire;

Facilitating the continued delivery of key services by enabling employees to work from home;

• Direct Covid response work including sending letters and communications to vulnerable, shielding residents and using our data services to help residents by mapping and providing information on essential local services like pharmacies, food banks, delivery and other support services;

• Supporting Test Trace Protect by developing systems, training, equipment and telephony;

• Providing new communication tools (e.g. video conferencing and WhatsApp) and online applications for services (e.g. business rates relief, childcare offers, free school meals, keyworker applications, childcare applications for vulnerable children, recycling requests.)

The refreshed Digital Strategy for 2021-2026 will go out to consultation with user groups, before final sign off by the Chief Officer Governance and the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Assets.