Islington Council is set to embrace a new era of digital transformation with the adoption of a Council-wide Digital and Data Strategy. The Islington Council Executive convened on Thursday, 26 June 2025, to discuss and approve the strategy, which aims to underpin the Islington Together 2030 plan and enhance resident experiences across all services.
The strategy focuses on four key missions: simplifying access to services, empowering teams, harnessing data, and fostering collaboration. It outlines how the council will leverage technology and data to enable, protect, and inspire both colleagues and residents. The plan also addresses the need for digital inclusion, ensuring that all residents, regardless of age, ability, or socioeconomic status, can benefit from digital advancements.
Progress against the Delivery Plan actions remains largely on track, with progress and performance quarterly updates reviewed by the Executive. Progress against the Delivery Plan metrics, which aim to capture the difference the Delivery Plan actions are making, demonstrate a range of strong performance across the missions, along with areas for improvement.
The strategy also emphasizes the importance of data protection and cyber security, ensuring that residents' data is secure and used responsibly. The council plans to implement a 'Zero Trust' network strategy, requiring verification for every access request, and will also adhere to the government's Cyber Assessment Framework.
As Councillor Una O'Halloran, Leader of the Council, stated, the strategy will outline the ways in which the council would enable, protect, and inspire colleagues and residents through the delivery of technology and data.
To ensure the strategy's success, the Executive agreed to develop a Council-wide digital and data delivery plan, measures, and timelines in partnership with the Corporate Management Team and Mission Delivery Board. This collaborative approach aims to ensure collective accountability for achieving Islington's digital aspirations, a key recommendation from a recent Local Government Association Peer Challenge review.