It is essential that the work we do and the improvements we plan are aligned appropriately to the strategic direction set nationally, regionally, and locally, and that the legislative framework is not seen to constrain innovation but to add a layer of protection to ensure information and data is used responsibility and fairly.
There is a complex statutory framework of legislation which has evolved over many years and includes but is not limited to:
- Data Protection Legislation.
- Freedom of Information Act 2000.
- Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
- Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015.
- Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2016.
- Digital Economy Act 2017.
We will work with legislation to ensure that we have an appropriate security framework and controls in place to hold and manage information and data securely.
We will also identify and consider links with other key pieces of legislation, such as the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. This is the first piece of legislation in the world to enact a responsibility for the existing generation to make decisions in a sustainable way which seeks to secure growth and quality of life for future generations. Its seven Well-being Goals will shape the design and delivery of services in the future, with actions within this strategy supporting the ongoing improvement of services in the spirit of the Act.
Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015): Seven Well-being Goals
- A globally responsible Wales
- A prosperous Wales
- A resilient Wales
- A healthier Wales
- A more equal Wales
- A Wales of cohesive communities
- A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh Language
We are also keen to link into the growing body of good practice that is developing across the Welsh public sector and beyond, learning from their experiences.
We want to link into and draw experience from others, ensuring that our approach is aligned to the Welsh Government’s Digital Strategy for Wales.
Digital Strategy for Wales
Digital in Wales will improve quality of life, sustainability and economic growth creating user-centred public services supported by effective leadership, data and a culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Data and Collaboration: improve services by working together, with data and knowledge being used and shared.
- Digital Connectivity: Deliver, facilitate and support the provision of fast and reliable infrastructure.
- Digital Inclusion: Equip people with the motivation, access, skills and confidence to engage with an increasingly digital world, based on their needs.
- Digital Services: Deliver and modernise services to a common set of standards so that they are simple, secure and convenient.
- Digital Economy: Drive economic growth, productivity and resilience by embracing and exploiting digital innovation.
- Digital Skills: Create a society and a workforce with the right skills to operate in a digital world
The overarching vision for that strategy focuses on the impact that investment in digital technologies can have in terms of quality of life and economic growth, not on the provision of IT and technology.
There are six key missions designed to support development and delivery of an enabling architecture to make it work effectively, and a range of practical objectives to tackle inequality and support all customers in Wales to get online with confidence and access good quality, joined-up public services. Mission 6, “Data and Collaboration”, aims to support service improvement through working together with information, data and knowledge being used and shared. The focus is on impact and outcomes which is a fundamental approach that we want to replicate as we implement this strategy.
As we review and evaluate the success of our Information and Data Management strategy in the period 2021-2026, it will be judged and evaluated based on the impact it is having and the outcomes it achieves.