Powys County Council has pledged to spend more than £5 million over the course of four years on digital improvements for businesses and residents.
The council have stated that they aim to use the money to improve the sharing of and access to information for Powys residents and businesses, as well as adding a number of new services.
The council has stated that they money will be spent on as many as 15 separate projects that will support the delivery of the council’s vision to create a “stronger, fairer, and greener Powys”.
Cllr David Thomas, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation, said: “This ambitious digital programme is about meeting the expectation of those who come to us for help, information, or advice, who want more choice and flexibility around how and when they contact us.
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“It will also result in fundamental changes to the way the council operates, with the aim of delivering services in a more cost-effective way, and greater convenience to customers.”
Some of the initiatives include new systems for managing council houses, a mobile app for council staff and another for health and care that will allow residents to access both council and NHS services through a single account and the transfer of council services still reliant on copper phone lines to digital networks.
The council will also be investing in an AI powered online chat for residents and businesses to use when contacting the council, as well as the use of sensors to help monitor vulnerable people in their own homes as an aid to care services and to help monitor environmental changes.
The council is also reportedly planning to “transform” Powys’ Property, Planning and Public Protection Services, bringing in a new system for managing planning, building control, land charges, public protection, and private sector housing services and for providing public access to them.
Cllr Jake Berriman, Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys added: “New technologies can help improve the lives of our residents, including the most vulnerable, and we need to seize these opportunities whenever we can.
“Our transformation work has already led to many service improvements and better customer experiences, and we want to make sure that continues with new digital options that people want to use rather than feel they have to use.”
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