Enfield Council's Cabinet has approved a £6.6 million plan to enhance digital services across the borough for the upcoming financial year, with work scheduled to begin in May 2026 and conclude by the end of March 2027.
The investment, detailed in the Digital Services Portfolio 2026/2027, aims to modernise the council's digital infrastructure, improve resident access to services, and enable more efficient operations. The portfolio is structured around three key missions: 'To improve resident access to services', 'To enable more efficient, effective and responsive services', and 'To use our data to make more informed decisions'.
Key projects funded by this initiative include significant upgrades to the planning system, foundational infrastructure enhancements, and substantial investment in cyber security measures. The plan also encompasses the development of a new data platform to support more informed decision-making.
Planning System Overhaul
The existing planning system, deemed no longer fit for purpose, will be replaced with a modern, cloud-based planning case management system. This upgrade will enhance overall functionality and effectiveness, leading to better service delivery and streamlined operations for both residents and developers. Additionally, a newly procured GIS platform will be rolled out to other service areas within Enfield Council.
Infrastructure and Cyber Security
Foundational infrastructure and network works will build upon existing projects to deliver modern network connectivity at key council sites, including the Civic Centre, Thomas Hardy House, and the Edmonton Hub. This will replace the council's ageing and unsupported network infrastructure, ensuring the council's core technology is reliable and resilient. In parallel, the Cyber Security project will implement innovative solutions, including the use of artificial intelligence, to maintain and enhance the council's defences against increasingly hostile online environments.
Data Platform and Inclusivity
A new data platform and reporting project will investigate and analyse the data held and used across the council to maximise assets and adhere to retention protocols, leading to improved data quality, increased efficiency, better data consistency, easier data sharing, and enhanced data security. This will directly contribute to more effective data management and utilisation for council services.
Enfield Council is committed to ensuring that residents, particularly those less digitally proficient, can still access essential services. For those who have difficulty with online forms, assistance will be provided at community hubs or via phone. Paper applications are available for the Crisis and Resilience Fund, and alternative payment options like Paypoint will be used where bank transfers are not feasible. A representative can complete forms on behalf of an applicant if needed. Communications will be inclusive, utilising multiple routes such as newsletters, housing estate noticeboards, and VCS/faith bulletins to reach digitally excluded groups, including older people and young families. Interpreting support will also be available.
Financial Impact
Funding for the portfolio will be drawn from a combination of capital receipts, capital budgets, and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) funding, totalling £6.6 million for 2026/2027. The Digital Services portfolio work is largely enabling of savings that will come from other service budgets. Direct savings from the Digital Services budget, through reductions in contract costs and additional income, will initially contribute to returning the service to a balanced financial position before offering new savings to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).
The approval was made during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The Digital Services Portfolio is a key component of the Council's broader Digital, Data and AI Strategy, which seeks to leverage technology to deliver better public services at a lower cost. Further details can be found in the Public reports pack 11th Mar 2026.
