Kensington and Chelsea Council has approved its new Digital, Data and ICT Strategy for 2026-2030, a plan designed to modernise its technology infrastructure, enhance cyber resilience, and improve resident-centric digital services.
The strategy, discussed by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on July 8, 2026, outlines a commitment to strengthening cyber resilience, creating a modern and independent ICT infrastructure, and building a coherent whole-council digital ecosystem. This initiative comes in the wake of a significant cyber-attack in November 2025, which disrupted council services. The Council experienced a cyber attack
during this period, with direct costs for the initial response and containment phase amounting to £1.162m. Further expenditure will be required in 2026/27 and beyond to continue the recovery programme and to strengthen and modernise the Digital, Data and Technology (DD&T) service. The exact cost is still being calculated and is expected to be funded from reserves. Recovery efforts are reportedly on track, with 94% of systems restored, but the attack highlighted the need for radical evolution of the Council's IT estate and capabilities.
Key priorities within the new strategy include simplifying applications, treating data as a critical foundation, reimagining services around residents, establishing modern governance, and building workforce capability and confidence. The strategy also emphasizes financial transparency and sustainability, aiming to ensure that technology investments deliver measurable value for money.
While the strategy aims for a digital-first approach, it acknowledges the need for assisted-digital support for residents who may face barriers to digital access. This includes older residents, disabled individuals, those with limited digital confidence, non-native English speakers, and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage. The Council plans to mitigate potential negative impacts through inclusive service design, clear communication, and robust information governance.
The strategy's implementation will be phased, starting with foundational elements like security and governance, followed by system simplification and service redesign. The Council aims to achieve greater efficiency, reduce duplication, and improve the resident experience through this digital transformation. Further details on the strategy can be found in the Public reports pack for the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting.
Public reports pack 08th-Jul-2026 18.30 Overview Scrutiny Committee
