Decision details

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report providing details on the drivers for a Smart Cities approach for Leeds and which recommended a particular strategic approach towards its delivery. In addition, the report also provided an update on what had been delivered to date through temporary and loose arrangements in what has been a “prototype” year. Finally, the report detailed where the Council aimed to be and the main issues to be resolved, whilst also providing practical recommendations in terms of progressing from the current position, including the formalising of a Smart Cities Team.

Responding to an enquiry, emphasis was placed upon the need to ensure that the relevant expertise located throughout the city was fully engaged in the delivery of the Smart Cities approach and how the benefits from the proposed Capital Innovation Fund could be maximised. As such, acknowledging the consultation events which had already taken place, it was suggested that moving forward, a panel incorporating the relevant expertise could be established as part of the associated engagement process, with a follow up report being submitted to the Board in the next six months on the involvement of the digital community in this area.

Members highlighted how Leeds continued to lead nationally on the development of smart methods in the field of health and wellbeing, the importance of working with schools and young people on this agenda and emphasised the significant opportunities which existed in areas such as future economic growth and job creation.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Smart Cities approach and direction as detailed within the submitted report be endorsed;

(b)  That the formalising of the Smart City Team from existing resources under the leadership of the Chief Information Officer, be supported;

(c)  That support be given to the creation of a Capital Innovation Fund of £150,000 which can be used to support “Civic Enterprise” type prototypes as a basis for informing wider business cases, with spending against this fund to be recommended by the Smart Cities lead and associated sign off from Chief Information Officer and the Executive Member for Digital and Creative Technologies, Culture and Skills;

(d)  That the direction to all managers and services to commit to making all non-person sensitive data open and published on the Leeds Data Mill, be supported;

(e)   That a follow up report be submitted to the Board in the next six months on the involvement of the digital community in this area.