Flintshire County Council Considers Ban on AI Tools for Staff Use
Proposed Ban on AI Tools by Flintshire County Council: What You Need to Know
Posted: Fri 13th Mar 2026
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public sector work has been a topic of considerable debate, and Flintshire County Council is making its stance clear with a proposed ban on certain AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. This potential policy, set to be discussed by the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee next week, aims to regulate AI usage within council operations.
Understanding the Proposed Policy
Under the draft policy, which is set to go before councillors this Thursday, Flintshire County Council aims to establish a formal framework governing AI usage among all employees, elected members, contractors, and partners involved in council-related tasks. Here’s a breakdown of what the new rules entail:
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Restricted Tools: The use of publicly available AI applications, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, would be banned unless they have been specifically approved by the council’s IT Services team. This restriction stems from concerns around data security and compliance with regulatory standards.
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Approval Process: Any AI tool that might be considered for council work will need to pass a stringent compliance assessment. This ensures that the tools meet necessary cyber security, legal, and procurement standards.
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Mandatory Training: All employees will be required to undergo training to understand the approved tools and their appropriate uses.
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Human Oversight: The policy emphasizes that AI cannot make decisions affecting residents’ rights independently; human oversight is mandatory. Additionally, using personal AI devices for recording or transcribing council meetings would be prohibited.
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Permitted Uses: While the ban may seem restrictive, there are exceptions. AI tools may be used for tasks like drafting documents, summarising meetings, and data analysis—provided these tools are council-approved.
The Context of the Proposal
The proposal for new AI regulations follows a previous attempt by Flintshire People’s Voice to expedite the establishment of a formal AI policy. Their Notice of Motion, presented to the Full Council in September 2025, called for a clear set of principles that would underpin any AI policy. Although the motion did not pass, the concerns it raised were addressed during the drafting of the current policy.
The report slated for discussion notes that feedback has led to clearer stipulations around transparency and accountability in AI use. Whether this revised policy meets the expectations of Flintshire People’s Voice remains to be seen and will likely be a focal point in the upcoming meeting.
Aligning with National Efforts
This initiative from Flintshire County Council coincides with broader efforts in Wales to develop a national framework for AI governance. The Welsh Government’s AI Cymru plan, launched in November 2025, outlines principles of ethics, inclusivity, and innovation in AI. On a larger scale, the AI Bill is currently in its second reading in the House of Lords, indicating that AI governance is a pressing issue at national levels as well.
What’s Next?
The Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee will not make the final decision but will recommend whether the Cabinet should adopt the proposed policy. If approved, the regulations will come into effect on April 1, 2026.
As the conversation around AI in public services continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this policy shapes Flintshire’s governance and its approach to technology in the years to come.
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