This report outlines the actions in progress to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes for better Information Governance.

Mike Graham, Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services, submitted a report outlining the actions in progress to improve the Council’s policies, systems and processes for improving Information Governance.  The report referred to the Committee receiving a number of limited assurance reports in this field and identified that work was needed to address the underlying issues with: Freedom of Information; Data Transparency; and Records Management.  The report detailed the work being undertaken through the establishment of the Information Governance Board in April 2020 with the purpose of implementing and overseeing an Information Management Strategy.  The Board was currently preparing the Information Management Strategy and Action Plan which outlined the Council’s proposed approach to information management and governance with several workstreams being established to progress the necessary improvements. 

The Committee noted that the Cyber Security training which was currently available for all staff and councillors through a Learning Pool e-learning package to complete had had a disappointing uptake. The report stated that action was in hand to improve the numbers undertaking the training, which was supported by the Committee. 

Resolved:    

(1)    That the progress being made to improve the Council’s Information Governance be noted;

(2)    That the action being taken to address information governance issues raised by internal audit review be reported to a future meeting of the Committee;

(3)    That the action being taken to increase the uptake of Cyber Security training be endorsed and that Committee members ensure they had completed the training and encourage all other councillors to do likewise.