City of Edinburgh Council has received a mixed review for its digital efforts from Scotland’s central auditor.
Audit Scotland has published a report on the council’s overall performance that includes a section saying it has made improvements in the area through its partnership with CGI, but that it has not made the expected progress with transformation.
This comes after Edinburgh recently extended the contract with its primary ICT provider – dating back to 2015 – for an extra six years to run until 2029.
The report says the deal has been providing the expected savings, estimated at £45 million over the first seven years, but that it had not delivered the expected transformation outcomes and benefits in the first two years.
This has been attributed partly to the absence of a well developed digital strategy – a shortcoming that the council recently rectified with an agreement on one last month.
It has also worked with CGI to improve governance and develop a better partnership approach. As a result, Audit Scotland says better conditions now exist for the successful delivery of projects and transformation.
Digitising delivery
Edinburgh is also delivering initiatives to digitise service delivery and improve customer and staff experience, such as the launch of a new customer relationship management system last year and automating landlord registrations.
In September, two of the council’s leading officials described to UKAuthority how it plans to build on the relationship with CGI and press ahead with its smart city plans.
On a broader front, the auditor said Edinburgh has improved many services over the past four years, but could do more to fulfil its potential. Among the problems has the been need for a long term financial strategy and a more effective workforce plan.
Elma Murray, interim chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “The City of Edinburgh Council can do more to maximise its potential to improve the city and the lives of local people.
“Whilst the ambition of the council and its partners is impressive, the detail of how it will deliver, monitor and report on its key strategic goals must be in one accessible and coherent plan. It is the responsibility of all local councillors, working together, to ensure the city and its services continue to improve.”
Amdended on 1 December to show savings of £45 million over seven years
