This report provides an update on the actions in progress to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes around Information Governance.

Michael Graham, Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services, submitted a report outlining the action underway to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes for Information Governance following several limited assurance reports in this area.

The report provided an update on: the action being taken to address the backlog of Subject Access Requests, including the purchase of redaction software; the improvement in on-time responses to FOI requests to 72.1% and the action being taken to increase responses within the required timescale to 90%, as expected by the Information Commissioner’s Office; data transparency; the work of the Information Governance (IG) Board; progress to implement the Information Management Strategy, whichset out the Council’s approach to information management and governance; and uptake of Cyber Security training which was compulsory for all staff and Members through Learning Pool, the Council’s e-learning package.   

The report stated that the current immediate focus would be the completion on the FOI Action Plan and the training of Information Asset Owners and Data Stewards to implement aspects of the Information Management Strategy particularly with reference to Records Management practices. 

Resolved:     That the progress being made to improve the Council’s Information Governance be noted and the future actions outlined in the report be endorsed.