Artificial intelligence (AI) could be used as part of a \u00a33.4m project to modernise an authority, and “get a grip” on rising costs, a council has said.<\/p>\n
Gloucestershire County Council said the Stronger Futures programme focused on using AI and digital tools to cut waste, improve services, crackdown on unnecessary spending and improve value for money.<\/p>\n
Deputy leader Colin Hay, who announced the plan, said the council was “not going to sit back and wait for financial pressures to force damaging cuts on our communities”.<\/p>\n
A decision is expected on 22 April.<\/p>\n
More from Gloucestershire<\/p>\n
Reform group leader Vernon Smith said the council did not need to spend to save, and the project was more likely to contribute to “bigger council tax bills”.<\/p>\n
Smith said: “The Liberal Democrats want to spend another \u00a33.4m of your money today so they can promise to save some of it tomorrow.”<\/p>\n
The Local Democracy Reporting Service<\/a> (LDRS) reported Hay said the plan would help streamline how the council worked to make it more efficient and accountable.<\/p>\n “We are taking control, not waiting for cuts. Stronger Futures is about getting a grip on spending, modernising the council, and protecting the services people rely on.”<\/p>\n In support of the project, Green Party councillor Gary Luff said the “devil is in the detail”, and it is important to be clear on what the plans mean in practice.<\/p>\n There will also need to be “further assurance around the responsible usage of AI,” Luff added.<\/p>\n Conservative leader Stephen Davies said: “It disappoints and amuses me in equal measure how the Liberal Democrats rename and relaunch policies the previous Conservative administration had already implemented.”<\/p>\n Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook<\/a>, X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630<\/a>.<\/p>\n More on this storyRelated internet links