Issue - meetings

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To seek Cabinet approval for the Council’s participation in, and contribution towards, a phased programme of foundational investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Modernisation through the Shared Resource Service (SRS) partnership.

The proposals look to enhance the Council’s ability to deliver better outcomes for residents, improve productivity and service resilience, support staff, and enable more informed and timely decision-making across the Council.

The report brings together two linked investment proposals:

·        a three-year partnership-wide AI programme to create a secure, governed shared AI foundation, including an AI Management Hub, staff productivity tools and a Digital Front Door capability; and

·        Phase 1 of the Data Modernisation Programme, including completion of the core data platform and delivery of the Single View of Child (SVoC) as the first operational use case for joined-up insight and predictive analytics.

The purpose of the report is not to introduce technology for its own sake. It is to ensure that the Council has the right foundations, safeguards, skills and partnership arrangements in place so that the Council can use AI and data analytics in a proportionate, ethical and practical way that reflects public service values and maintains public trust.

The report sets out why investment is required now, the benefits expected for residents, staff and councillors, the safeguards and governance arrangements that will apply, the options considered, the financial and workforce implications, and how success will be evaluated.

Author: Peter Davies, Deputy Chief Executive & Strategic Director for Resources

Contact Details: peterdavies@monmouthshire.gov.uk

To approve Monmouthshire County Council’s participation in the three-year SRS partnership AI programme, based on the preferred delivery route outlined in the report.

That Cabinet approves the Council’s share of the investment, funded by a one-off contribution from earmarked revenue reserves (specifically the Invest to Redesign Reserve), as set out in the report and summarised as follows:

a)     A combined three-year contribution arising from the AI programme and Data Modernisation Phase 1 of £596,654, profiled as £462,654 in Year 1, £66,000 in Year 2 and £68,000 in Year 3;

b)     A contribution of £20,500 in year 1 for Microsoft Fabric, with the cost for subsequent years incorporated into the MTFP from 2027/28.

c)     A contribution of £34,000 in year 1 for transactional AI usage costs for the Digital Front Door, with the cost for subsequent years incorporated into the MTFP from 2027/28.

d)     An initial budget provision of £200,000 to support services to implement AI and Data projects to the extent that existing capacity and capability does not allow.

The total one-off contribution from earmarked reserves will be £851,154.

To approve Monmouthshire County Council’s participation in Phase 1 of the SRS Data Modernisation Programme, including delivery of the Single View of Child and completion of the key components of the unified data platform.

To endorse a phased, gated approach to implementation, including formal stage gates for AI use cases and investment progression; and a pause-and-review point for the Data Modernisation Programme before any Phase 2 proposals are brought forward.

To endorse the principle that AI and predictive analytics will be used to support professional judgement and service improvement, and not to replace human accountability for decision-making.

To delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer Resources, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, to finalise implementation arrangements and release funding in line with the approved profile, subject to the governance arrangements and decision gateways set out in the report.