Glasgow City Council approves new digital strategy

The impact of digitisation on economic and social life, accessibility and the delivery of council services will be the focus of Glasgow City Council's first digital strategy since the Pandemic.

The Digital Glasgow Strategy (2024-30) differs from the 2018-23 one in a number of key ways. Whilst the previous strategy consisted of actions that represented specific planned and proposed digital transformation programmes such as the Connected Learning programme, the new strategy focuses on digital outcomes and sets out actions that to better equip the Council to succeed against these. 

Councillor Paul Leinster, Chair of Digital Glasgow has said that, "The new Digital Glasgow Strategy recognises the increased role that digital technology and services will play in the future, and sets out the key actions to deliver the key priorities of the strategy.

These priorities include not only the delivery of innovative digital public services that bring an improved experience for all those who receive them; but also make our digital economy more inclusive, to increase opportunities and develop skills; and to encourage and enable greater digital inclusion, participation and confidence.”

The new strategy also places greater emphasis on organisational change, with the aim of preparing Glasgow to unlock the benefits of digital whilst protecting people's rights. This can be seen in the following missions within the new strategy:

Mission 1 - A Fair and Empowered Digital Society: to improve digital inclusion and equality; build confidence and quality; and increase involvement and participation.

Mission 2 - An Inclusive Digital Economy: to improve digital inclusion and equality; develop the pipeline of digital skills; and opportunities for Glasgow's tech ecosystem.

Mission 3 - Sustainable and Innovative Digital Public Services: to improve the efficiency, resilience, and agility of our operations; the customer experience; and increase involvement and participation.

An implementation plan and a governance, performance and reporting framework is expected to be agreed upon soon by the Digital Glasgow Board.