Decision details

The committee considered the report which sought approval to commission and subsequently award a contract for the deployment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform and framework. The report set out the need to enhance the council’s digital capabilities and address the pressing demographic and financial challenges facing the local authority.

The committee agreed that the deployment of AI presented significant opportunities for efficiencies and noted that the Digital Acceleration Programme was designed to modernise the council’s operations and ensure long-term sustainability. The committee agreed that it was important to ensure that the deployment of AI functions across services was fully understood by both officers and members, and that limitations were fully understood. It was clarified that human-oversight would still be required over any decision-making and that approval to commission a contract to support the design, delivery and setup of an AI platform and Framework in Cheshire East, and did not commit the council to pursuing any proposals until such a time that detailed businesses cases / workshops had taken place.

Officers confirmed that more briefings would be scheduled with both members and officers as proposals develop overtime.

RESOLVED (by majority)

That the Corporate Policy Committee

1. Approve the commission of a contract to support the design, delivery, and setup of an AI Platform and Framework within Cheshire East Council; and,

2. Delegate authority to the Director of Digital of Cheshire East Borough Council to award a contract to the successful bidder following the competitive procurement process.