Agenda item

[For Scrutiny Panel Members to receive a presentation on “Connected City” and for a discussion to take place about a future Work Programme for the Panel]. 

The Scrutiny and Systems Manager gave a presentation on “Connected City” and the Work Programme for the Vibrant and Sustainable City Scrutiny Panel.  Scrutiny Board had met on the 14 July 2020 and had agreed a cross cutting Connectivity and Digital Theme for all the Scrutiny Panels for the remainder of the municipal year.  For all items added to the Work Programme, Scrutiny Board had requested that connectivity and digital considerations should form part of the discussion.  The outcomes and recommendations from all Panels would then be reported to Scrutiny Board to unify into one comprehensive report based on a Connected City Theme.  The report and any recommendations could then be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.  Some good questions for the Panel to consider, she suggested were as follows: -

How do we use and engage connectivity and digital means to help support:

·       The creation of vibrant highstreets

·       Good and sustainable housing

·       A well connected and sustainable transport system

·       Our existing community assets (and to continue to progress them)

·       Climate and environmental concerns and issues

·       Becoming a digital and cultural hub for the West Midlands

·       A vibrant and sustainable City that is fit for future generations.

When considering adding items to the work programme she felt it important to ask the following questions: -

1)    Does it link to the agreed Connected City theme?

2)    Is the issue in the public interest?

3)    Can Scrutiny add value by looking at it?

4)    Where is the evidence to support looking at this issue?

5)    Can we evidence impact?

6)    Is there a change to National Policy?

7)    Does it affect citizens across the City?

8)    Are there performance concerns?

9)    Is it a safety issue?

The Vice Chair suggested air quality as an item for consideration for the Work Programme and specifically how that could be linked to the new LED light programme and other air monitoring digital devices to monitor the effectiveness of new measures on the environment. 

A Member of the Panel commented that some people did not have adequate digital provision in their households.  It was important to address these issues.  Another Member of the Panel added that some people’s digital skills had vastly improved during the course of the pandemic because they had been forced to adapt.  This was clearly a positive step, it was however important to ensure the health and wellbeing of the citizens of Wolverhampton.  The lack of social contact, increased screen time and more isolation was undoubtedly having an impact.

The Vice Chair suggested for the housing item planned for the next meeting, whether there was merit in addressing how people applied for housing online.  The Director responded that access to housing services online could be included as part of a discussion document for the next meeting.  He thought it was important to focus on digital and connectivity for the items moving forward into the municipal year.  He agreed with Members comments that staff wellbeing was very important particularly given the likelihood of many Council staff being expected to work from home for the next six months.  The Scrutiny and Systems Manager added that staff wellbeing was being considered as part of an agenda item for the Our Council Scrutiny Panel the following week.