The Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Worcestershire Council met on Monday 23 March 2026 to discuss the council's use of Artificial Intelligence, review performance and budget monitoring for the 2025/26 financial year, and consider the refresh of the scrutiny work programme for 2026/27.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The panel was scheduled to receive an update on Worcestershire County Council's current and future strategy for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The report outlined how AI is understood by the council as technology enabling computers to perform tasks requiring human intelligence, such as learning and decision-making. It detailed the council's AI Strategy 2025–2028, its Implementation Plan, and the role of the AI Governance Board in policy development, compliance, and risk mitigation. The report also covered AI training and awareness initiatives for staff, including mandatory e-learning modules and a podcast titled Shaping the Future of Work with AI . Existing and planned uses of AI within the council were to be discussed, with a particular focus on the expansion of Microsoft 365 Copilot and AI-powered solutions in frontline services. The report also included findings from an AI audit, which identified strengths in the council's approach, and discussed the environmental impact and risks associated with AI, such as ethical concerns, bias, and privacy issues, referencing the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The panel was asked to consider this information, agree any comments for the Cabinet Member, and determine if further scrutiny was required.

Performance and 2025/26 In-Year Budget Monitoring

The panel was scheduled to be updated on performance and financial information for services related to Corporate Services and Communities for the third quarter (October to December 2025) of the 2025/26 financial year. This included a dashboard of performance indicators and a summary report via Power BI. The financial information provided was for Period 9 and included a summary of reserves. The panel was expected to review this information and report any suggestions for further scrutiny or areas of concern to the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board (OSPB). The detailed performance data covered areas such as Registration and Coroner's services, Communications, Human Resources (including FTEs, sickness rates, staff turnover, and agency staff costs), and various community services including libraries, museums, countryside standards, and Bikeability training. The financial reports detailed the forecast financial position for the council, including corporate items, central services, and community services, highlighting variances from the budget and the use of reserves.

Refresh of the Scrutiny Work Programme 2026/27

The panel was asked to consider suggestions for its 2026/27 Work Programme before it is submitted to the Council for approval. The report outlined the process for developing the annual Work Programme, with suggestions invited from panel members and stakeholders. The panel was to prioritise topics using the scrutiny feasibility criteria, which include whether an issue is a priority for the council, important to local people, practicable to implement, likely to result in improvements, examines a poor-performing service, relates to new government guidance, or will improve the way the council operates. The remit of the Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel, which covers commissioning, contracts, commerce, transformation, finance, localism, communities, organisation, and employees, was also detailed. The OSPB would then review the feedback from the panel and agree the final Scrutiny Work Programme before it goes to the Council meeting in May 2026.