Who is flying the flag for local government technology?
An organisational approach to digital technology is urgently required
In the 21st century, technology has become a powerful driver of social change, economic growth, and improved quality of life. Local governments, as the closest layer of governance to citizens, play a critical role in addressing the core challenges of their communities. As these challenges evolve in complexity, local governments must increasingly turn to technology as an enabler of more efficient, equitable, and scalable solutions.
The economic challenges we face today demand a proactive approach. Traditional methods are no longer sufficient to address the complexities of modern governance. By embracing digital solutions, local authorities can streamline their operations, enhance service delivery, and improve overall efficiency.
A technological and strategic shift
This transformation is not just a technological shift but a strategic imperative that can drive significant positive change. We often look at technology in silos: how can it help planning and regeneration or social care? How might it have a role in customer service? Yet, strangely, a different approach is taken in the housing department for what is essentially the same customer experience with the council.
Or maybe we let the technology itself drive the conversation. A key one today is, “How can we use AI?” as though the use of AI itself is the desired outcome, rather than identifying the challenge and then seeing if AI is a suitable solution. Perhaps it’s time to change the way we perceive digital and technology (and its application and support).
Yes, there are technologies that help specific sub-sectors, and too often we procure a solution to support individual services, but no longer should we see technology in these silos, procured and run in isolation. For years in local government, we have been talking about breaking down silos and working collaboratively across the council. Our approach to technology must also take this shift in thinking.
If you agree that leveraging technology in local government is a path to solving core societal challenges, then it’s time to fly the flag for local government technology.
Sharna Quirke
Strategic Director for Local Government
What needs to change?
It’s time to take an organisation-wide approach to digital technology and build a united vision towards a common goal of a technical platform. This enables better data and knowledge, more automation, reduced double handling and errors, and a better citizen experience. A platform approach will also be cheaper, faster, and enable better integration and flexibility to enable councils to face whatever is coming next.
In today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, local authorities face unprecedented challenges. To navigate these turbulent times and meet the ever-growing expectations of their customers, it’s imperative for local authorities to pivot towards a platform digital solution. This call to action is not just about adopting new technologies; it’s about adopting a change in mindset toward digital solutions. Not only fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and openness, but doing so with a common digital vision at the organisational level to break down perceptions and silos and to enhance organisational transformation with economies of scale. Local authorities must come together, share insights, and work towards common goals.
One digital vision for local authorities
But more than this is needed. Local authorities need to come together on a common vision of what technology should be in local government and demand the support and investment from Whitehall. Local authorities must be willing to question the status quo, explore new possibilities, and take calculated risks.
They also need to demand the investment they are so clearly lacking from the top. The problem is that when demands are placed and ‘sent up the pole’, they are often in the remit of a policy (i.e., planning) or departmental (i.e., social care). But who is flying the flag for local government technology and its crucial role in the future and success of all these policies and departments? It takes courage to do things differently, but it’s this courage that will ultimately lead to success.
The call to action is clear: Local authorities must embrace digital solutions to address economic challenges and meet citizen expectations at the organisational level. It goes without saying that there are barriers to achieving this. Some can be overcome through a change of mindset and seeing the role and function of technology differently.
But others will not be overcome without the support and investment from the centre, and until local authorities come together with one voice, we may not see the change our communities deserve. If you agree that leveraging technology in local government is a path to solving core societal challenges, then it’s time to fly the flag for local government technology.
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Thank you to LGC for partnering with us on this report and Martin George, Deputy Editor at LGC, for his contributions to the report.
