Issue - meetings

Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy

Meeting: 16/04/2026 - Cabinet (Item 234)

Webcast for 16/04/2026 - Cabinet

234 Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy PDF 658 KB

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to consider a strategy for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across council services that protects residents and service users whilst enabling them to access the benefits that AI can offer. The report also recommends the adoption of a policy to guide use of AI for employees and councillors.

Recommendations

That Cabinet resolves to:

1. Approve the AI Usage Policy at Annex A

2. Approve the AI Adoption Strategy and Roadmap at Annex B.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The purpose of this item was to consider a strategy for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across council services that protects residents and service users whilst enabling them to access the benefits that AI can offer. The report also recommended the adoption of a policy to guide use of AI for employees and councillors.

Councillor Mike McKeown, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Digital, introduced the report on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy and AI Adoption Strategy. Members were advised that the Policy and Strategy established a clear governance framework for the responsible adoption and use of AI across the Council and its key delivery partners, supporting service improvement, efficiency and digital transformation while ensuring transparency, accountability, data protection and human oversight. It was noted that the Strategy set out objectives, an action plan and ethical principles, including the establishment of an AI Oversight Board to manage risk, scrutinise proposals and drive appropriate adoption, while the accompanying Policy defined the rules, boundaries and mandatory requirements for AI use. The approach was intended to enable the Council to adopt AI safely and confidently, support officers and improve outcomes for residents and businesses, while strengthening organisational resilience and preparing for potential Local Government Reorganisation.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Mike McKeown and seconded by Councillor Tristan Wilkinson.

Cabinet RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the AI Usage Policy at Annex A

2. Approve the AI Adoption Strategy and Roadmap at Annex B.

Voting record:

6 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Minutes:

The purpose of this item was to consider a strategy for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across council services that would protect residents and service users whilst enabling them to access the benefits that AI can offer. The report also recommended the adoption of a policy to guide use of AI for employees and councillors.

Councillor Mike McKeown, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Digital, introduced the report on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage Policy and AI Adoption Strategy. He thanked officers for all their work in creating the strategy and implementation roadmap and outlined that the proposals established a clear governance framework for the responsible adoption and use of AI across the Council and its key delivery partners, drawing on professional experience to support practical and proportionate implementation. He confirmed that he had no commercial interest in the matter.

Members were advised that AI would have a significant impact on service delivery, digital transformation and the way residents and businesses interacted with the Council. It was noted that the Council had already begun deploying AI-enabled tools in areas such as administrative support, document drafting, customer services and planning, with human oversight retained in all cases. The Strategy was intended to formalise and govern this adoption.

The Strategy set out objectives, an action plan and ethical principles, including transparency, accountability, fairness, data protection and the requirement for human review of AI outputs. It provided for the establishment of an AI Oversight Board to scrutinise proposals, assess risk, ensure value for money and drive appropriate adoption across the organisation. The accompanying Policy defined the rules, boundaries and mandatory requirements for AI use, including safeguards relating to cybersecurity and data protection.

Members welcomed the proactive and structured approach, recognising both the opportunities presented by AI and the risks associated with misuse, inaccuracy or overreliance. Particular reference was made to the importance of training, consistency of application, collaborative working with partners, and the need to guard against bias, misinformation and so-called “hallucinations”. Assurance was provided that AI outputs would remain subject to human oversight and that decisions would not be delegated solely to automated systems.

The relevance of the Strategy to Local Government Reorganisation was noted, with Members observing that establishing governance, capability and culture at this stage would support organisational resilience and ensure readiness for transition to any future unitary authority.

Discussion also highlighted the role of Members in governance and oversight, and the importance of ensuring that councillors understood both the opportunities and responsibilities associated with AI use. It was acknowledged that further guidance for Members would be considered as part of implementation.

Members endorsed the Policy and Strategy as a balanced and forward-looking framework to enable the safe, ethical and effective use of AI in supporting service delivery and improving outcomes for residents and businesses.