Agenda and draft minutes

There was an apology for absence from Councillor Rossati.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 September 2025.

It was moved by Councillor Dumont and seconded by Councillor Crystall that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 September 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 8 September 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting and reminded participants to use their microphones when speaking. 

There were no declarations of interest.

The Assistant Director, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Information Risk Owner introduced a report that provided an update on the Information Technology Partnership Dashboard covering April to July 2025.

Members heard that since the Committee had last met in September, both partners had seen considerable improvements in function and system uptime, with performance targets expected to be met by year end.

Members were advised that a key measure of this improvement was a reduction in the number of calls made to the IT Service Desk, which in turn freed up officer time for project delivery and proactive work.

Members heard that election periods were always challenging, but that Stevenage was not participating in the flexible voting pilot in May, which would have been complex and posed connectivity issues for IT.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Information Risk Owner for the report and Members questions were answered.

RESOLVED – that IT Partnership Dashboard for April 2023 to December 2025 be noted.

The Assistant Director, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Information Risk Owner introduced a report outlining the ICT Strategy for 2026–2029, noting that the final version would be presented to both partners for approval in the summer.

Members were informed about the strategy’s three pillars:

·             Active Cyber Resilience

·             Data Intelligence and Ethical AI

·             Future?Ready Technology and Culture

The Chair thanked officers for the report, and Members’ questions were answered by the Assistant Director, Chief Technology Officer, Senior Information Risk Owner, and both partners’ Chief Financial Officers.

Officers provided assurances on staff training and highlighted the success of the Cyber Police initiative, the lessons learned around communications, and the robustness and ongoing checks within the procurement process.

Members emphasised the importance of maintaining human oversight in the use of AI and were told that an AI Governance Board would be established for both partners. Assurance was also given that Members would receive early notice of any proposed workforce changes, with the strategy framing AI as a tool for efficiency rather than staff replacement.

Members were updated that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) had absorbed significant officer time, with all Hertfordshire IT Heads of Service required to deliver twelve workstreams by vesting day. They heard that risks had been identified, and that pragmatic solutions were needed, with greater clarity expected in June once the LGR configuration became known.

RESOLVED – that IT Strategy 2026 -2029 be noted.

This agenda includes Part II business; the Chairman will move:

‘’That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of items 8 and 9 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information’’.

Councillor Thomas proposed, and Councillor Glover-Ward seconded, a motion to exclude the press and public during the discussion of Agenda Items 8 and 9, on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

·            3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

·            7. Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that pursuant to Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded during consideration of the business referred to in Minute 30on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act.

·            3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

·            7. Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.

The Assistant Director, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Information Risk Owner introduced the report.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Information Risk Owner for the report and Members questions were answered.

Full details are recorded in the restricted minutes.

RESOLVED – that IT Partnership Dashboard for April 2023 to July 2025 be noted.

The Assistant Director, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Information Risk Owner introduced the report.

The Chair thanked the Assistant Director, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Information Risk Owner for the report and Members questions were answered.

Full details are recorded in the restricted minutes.

RESOLVED – that the Cyber Security Update be noted.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chairman of the meeting, is of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration and is not likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information.

There were no urgent items.