The Organisation and Communities Scrutiny Panel met on Thursday, 12 March 2026, to discuss the Council's Digital Strategy and the use of Artificial Intelligence in its services, alongside an update from the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value. The panel also reviewed community engagement efforts, freedom of information monitoring, and began planning for the 2026-2027 work programme.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value Update

Councillor Denise Hyland (Cabinet Member Finance, Resources and Social Value) provided an update on the portfolio's objectives and progress. The report indicated that most objectives were on track, with low risk to delivery. A significant focus remained on the Medium Term Financial Strategy, which highlighted funding gaps projected to reach around £100 million by 2029/30. The report detailed the outcomes of the Fair Funding Review, noting that while challenges remain, the final settlement was better than initially anticipated, partly due to the continuation of the Recovery Grant. Key performance indicators showed that six out of nine areas had improved or maintained performance, with slight decreases noted in supplier payment times, council tax collection, and business rates collection.

Digital Strategy and Use of Artificial Intelligence in Council Services

The panel considered the Council's Digital Strategy, focusing on progress in digital transformation and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The report highlighted advancements in AI pilots, including trials for social care case notes, internal meeting minutes, and redaction/deduplication tools for information requests. While these pilots showed potential for efficiencies, the translation into cashable savings was still under review. Progress was also noted on the Council's website, the Digital Health and Care Technology programme, and initiatives within Adult Social Care aimed at reshaping operating models. The report detailed ongoing work in digital inclusion, support for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and the Repairs Transformation Programme. Significant progress was reported on the Temporary Accommodation Cost Reduction Programme, which had achieved substantial cost reductions. The implementation of a new Online Transactions Platform and the upgrade of the Housing IT system were also discussed. The report also touched upon the ongoing Finance System Replacement project and efforts to improve efficiency in Council Tax and Business Rates collection, as well as the Rethinking Customer Service programme. Safety and security measures, including cyber defence enhancements and backup technologies, were also outlined. The report acknowledged the significant investment required for digital transformation and introduced a new process for impact modelling to demonstrate return on investment.

Community Engagement

The panel reviewed the Council's approach to community engagement following the adoption of the Community Engagement Pledge in July 2024. The report detailed the establishment of a Community Engagement Team and its work in supporting various engagement activities across the council. A new online community engagement portal, Community Conversations Greenwich, was set to launch, featuring automatic translation and subscriber opt-ins. The team had supported 30 individual community engagement schemes between April and December 2025, with a significant number of visitors and subscriptions to the online portal. The report outlined progress against the four aims of the Community Engagement Pledge: building trust, promoting resident voices, extending engagement opportunities, and fostering an engagement-ready culture within the council. Key initiatives included the development of a new online portal, staff training, and the creation of a community engagement panel.

Freedom of Information Monitoring

The panel received an update on the monitoring of Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests. The report highlighted a significant increase in request volumes between 2024 and 2025, placing pressure on the FOI service and directorates. While most directorates maintained strong compliance, challenges were noted in Communities, Environment & Central (CEC) and Housing & Safer Communities (HSC). Internal Reviews also increased, particularly in FOI, with a notable rise in complaints related to non-compliance with statutory deadlines. The report detailed the reasons for these reviews and the outcomes, as well as the number of complaints made to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Measures being explored to manage the increasing volume and complexity of requests included pre-emptive publication of information, demand management strategies, and guidance for staff on handling AI-generated requests and Freemen on the Land arguments. Efforts to improve timeliness and reduce bottlenecks, particularly within Legal Services, were also discussed.

Work Programme Discussion 2026-2027

The panel engaged in a discussion to identify and prioritise items for the Organisation and Communities Scrutiny Panel's work programme for the upcoming year, 2026-2027.