A new resource aims to make digitalisation more accessible
March saw the launch of the ‘Local government digitalisation almanac: a simple guide for local councils’ at the LGA’s fourth digital showcase event.
The publication expands on 12 ‘digitalisation outcomes’ conceived last year by the LGA, the Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation (Socitm) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (Solace) to help improve and support local government.
It aims to make the topic of digitalisation – leveraging data and technology – more accessible and understandable to a wide range of users from all backgrounds, including elected members with and without digital portfolios.
When you access the almanac, you’ll see simple steps, practical examples and recommended reading to support you in pushing forward with your council’s digital journey.
Rather than an instruction manual, you’ll find pointers to help initiate wider conversations and prompt collaborative efforts within your council.
The almanac can help your council enjoy the full benefits of digitalisation for staff, residents, businesses and communities, regardless of where they are on the journey. Greater clarity and alignment on the outcomes of digitalisation can push local government to meet citizens’ needs in new and different ways.
We’ve published this resource in response to the rapidly evolving digital landscape which is changing the ways councils work and what is expected of them.
Your council will have its own drivers for digitalisation – from reducing costs or responding to population change – that are pushing the use of data, digital and technology solutions in new and different ways.
Cyber, digital, data and technology are now a core part of council business.
The challenge of this environment is to build a shared understanding of how to improve and support local government digital programmes.
The almanac looks at outcomes – the reasons why your council invests in digitalisation.
The 12 strategic outcomes are connectivity, data, democracy and participation, ethics and sustainability, inclusion, leadership, economic productivity and growth, organisational capability, partnership, security and resilience, services, and value.
We commissioned consultants PUBLIC to expand on our early framework and explore each outcome in more depth – what each area means, the steps to take to understand more about each goal, and notable examples from authorities to consider in one’s own local context.
The almanac is a resource that adds to our ability as a sector to share practice, communicate effectively and build partnerships, and we will be reviewing and refreshing it over time to ensure it stays relevant and responds to changes and challenges.
The agreed language and shared strategic aims it outlines help us to take digitalisation to the next level; strengthening our position to engage across local and central government, and ultimately deliver digital services to citizens more effectively.
I’m delighted to be introducing the almanac as a resource to support councils in delivering the best possible local services, growth and opportunities, with digital at its heart.
Designing and delivering modern public services requires transformation from within councils and across the sector – and the almanac presents 12 outcomes to support you and your organisations as you champion and respond to the needs of your communities.