New programme approved to ensure Neath Port Talbot’s digital future

Smart and Connected will ensure Neath Port Talbot keeps pace with the global digital revolution and that our county borough – and its people and businesses – can thrive in an age dominated by smartphone technology.

It will transform the way the Council works and how residents interact with it, allowing people to apply for, pay for, track and measure services in one go, while at home or on the move.

The digital delivery programme will ensure online services will be simple, convenient and well signposted so customers will choose digital as their first choice when it comes to contact with the Council.

But the programme will also cater for the digitally excluded – those who feel unable to take part in digital services.

The delivery programme will try to ensure “no-one is left behind” not only by regularly upskilling the Council’s own workforce but by upskilling the resident population via the education and adult education sectors.

These are some of the many actions the Council will now look at:
•    Establishing a Citizen Account to help people use online Council services.
•    Extending the range of Council services and information online.
•    Introducing e-billing for Council Tax, National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR), benefits and other payments (a faster way to make/receive payments which also saves on paper and reduces councils’ substantial printing and postage costs).
•    Actively encouraging people to use the Council’s online services as their preferred choice and promoting “digital first” in all Council communications.
•    Ensuring all young people are equipped with the digital knowledge, skills and confidence to fully participate in a globally connected economy.
•    Supporting the voluntary and community sector to go digital.
•    Introducing Chatbots to the Council website, online reporting of potholes, e-billing for Council Tax and benefits and live broadcasting of Council meetings.
Councillor Anthony Taylor, the Deputy Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council said of the Digital Delivery Programme which was approved on March 27th: “The majority of our residents will welcome the convenience of increasing user-friendly digital services and the benefits they bring.

“We are well aware, however, that some will require additional support to access online services. In this respect, the programme seeks to achieve a balance, while at the same time driving a considerable change in the way in which we will now do things.”

An officers’ report to the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday said: “The delivery programme reflects a mix of planned ICT (Information and Communications Technology) infrastructure changes which will provide the foundations on which we can develop and implement other digital initiatives.

“All management teams were asked to identify digital developments that would support service delivery. These included adding to and enhancing the Council’s on-line services such as the online reporting of pot holes; providing online services for staff inspecting the county borough’s playgrounds; enabling businesses to check their trade waste accounts on-line; and many others.

“The programme will need to be continuously updated as priorities change and new technologies emerge. It will also form the core of the ICT Service work programme.”

Below is the link to the Digital Strategy web page:
https://www.npt.gov.uk/digitalstrategy