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Dear colleague
Welcome to the eighteenth edition of the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology Bulletin.
This month, we launched our Cyber, Digital and Technology LinkedIn page. We want this to become a place to share updates on events, publications, news and initiatives, as well as sector led insights. Join the conversation here!
I’m delighted to report that our “What is Cyber Security?” video, from the “Cyber Unpacked” series we launched last year, now has the most views of any video on the LGA’s YouTube channel. Keep your eyes peeled for more useful videos, and thank you all for watching the Cyber Unpacked series.
I’d also like to highlight an article in this month’s first magazine, by Councillor Hannah Norman, the Deputy Leader of Gloucester City Council. In it she raises a number of lessons that the 2021 cyber-attack on Gloucester City Council should teach us all; you can read it here.
Finally, we have a few staff changes and would like to welcome Tom Hindmarch and Ben Augustine to the team. We are also saying goodbye to Katie Owen, who’s joining the Local Digital at DLUHC on a secondment. Good luck Katie, and thank you for all of your efforts over the past four and a half years!
Please reach out for any guidance or questions, and a reminder of our year-round on-call function, supporting councils with non-technical advice in response and recovery of cyber incidents, available 365 days a year.
Best wishes,
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Owen Pritchard
Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology
Local Government Association
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Smith Square Debate: AI risks, rewards and councils’ readiness, 7th March, 5:15 - 7pm, 18 Smith Square, Hybrid
Following the UK’s Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit in November 2023, the Local Government Association's next Smith Square Debate will bring together a panel of expert speakers to discuss the risks and rewards of AI for local government and explore the readiness and appetite of local councils to integrate AI into their systems and service delivery. The debate is aimed at leaders, policy-makers and opinion formers, and will discuss:
Risks: Managing AI's dangers & seeking government support.
Rewards: Transforming services & harnessing AI's power.
Readiness: Overcoming hurdles & deploying AI safely.
Book your place via this link, and you can read our relevant consultation responses here.
State of the Sector: AI Survey
We are currently undertaking a survey to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in English councils. The survey gives councils the opportunity to highlight where they are realising benefits from using AI, and also where they see risks and challenges. An invitation to take part in the survey has been sent to all councils with a closing date of 15 March 2024.
We’d welcome your council’s input no matter what stage you’re at with AI. We will be using the results to inform our support offer and our advocacy to Government for more ‘de-risked’ investment into local government, as well as to ensure that local government remains a part of the national conversation on AI supported by a robust evidence base. We will also publish the anonymised findings so you can understand where your council is at compared with the broader sector.
If you have not received an invitation and would still like to take part in the survey please contact helen.wilkinson@local.gov.uk
LGA Bespoke Cyber Support - Current Offers & Volunteering
We’ve had a successful start to the year, supporting 5 councils with our bespoke support offers over the past month. If you’re also looking to strengthen cyber security within your council this year, we have free bespoke exercises to empower you on all levels. We aim to provide individual councils tailored advice, support and best practice through a Cyber 360 or our Reaction Exercises which can take place physically or virtually. Over 30 councils have benefited from these exercises, and we would encourage you to express your interest to see how we can assist and tailor our offers to you.
You can also engage with our offers by volunteering to sit on a Cyber 360 Team, where you will have the opportunity to shadow and experience the strategy and environment of councils and develop your personal learning on cyber security best practice, whilst sharing the invaluable knowledge that you have with others.
If you’d be interested in taking part or for more information to either take part or volunteer, please email cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk, we now have slots available for exercises from April/May.
New Public Health Digitalisation training coming soon
Over the past month, we kicked off a brand-new digitalisation training programme for service leaders and managers working in Adult Social Care, Planning and Children’s Services with more than 100 officers attending the three programmes. Our next training programme, focusing on Waste and Streets services, is also now fully booked with more than 50 officers signed up to attend.
We are planning to deliver a final session as part of this round of training for public health managers on Tuesday 16 April – Wednesday 17 April. We will be publishing the details on our webpage in due course, but if you are working in Public Health and are interested in attending, please email iman.adaci@local.gov.uk to be added to the waiting list.
Digitalisation masterclasses for councillors
As digital adoption rapidly increases in local government, political leaders must grasp what it means to be a modern digital council to accelerate real, long-term change and transformation. We are currently delivering a series of 12 masterclasses to empower councillors to champion their digitalisation journeys. The masterclasses - which kicked off on the 19th of February and are concluding on 14 March - are split into two parts, ‘Becoming a Digital Council’ and ‘Building a Digital Place’. Further details, including remaining dates and how to register, are included below:
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Becoming a Digital Council (19, 22, 23, 28, 29 February and 1 March, 10 am - 11.30 am)
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Building a Digital Place (6, 7, 8, 11, 13 and 14 March, 2:00 pm - 3.30 pm)
Please share with members who might be interested in attending.
Invitation to participate in user research for the development of a digital democracy and participation guide
We are inviting officers working in democratic services and community engagement as well as digital practitioners to take part in user research for the development of a new guide on digital democracy and participation. This resource is being developed to capture notable practices and key issues to consider when using digital tools to increase engagement and participation in local decision-making. The interviews will take place w/c 4th March. For further information and to express interest in participating, please email iman.adaci@local.gov.uk.
C&DDaT Skills Framework
The LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology team is developing a cyber, digital, data, and technology skills framework for local government. As part of this work, we will be publishing the framework for consultation on the LGA website w/c 11 March. In the meantime, if you’d like to find out more about the framework and ways to get involved, please email priya.thethi@local.gov.uk.
Digital Switchover Business Case Guidance
This new guidance, created with council input, is to support councils in developing their own business case for the migration of telecare services from analogue to digital within your council, with a consideration of the risks, benefits and costs that can occur in this shift. As with any investment in digital infrastructure, there is a cost attached to moving to digital telecare, which comes at a time when councils are already financially stretched. It is therefore important that councils make decisions based on their own needs and circumstances which best meet the needs of their residents. This guidance will support councils in achieving this.
LGA Transformation Conference, 26th March 2024, 10:30am-3:30pm, 18 Smith Square, Hybrid.
The LGA’s inaugural Transformation Conference is a must-attend event for councils undertaking activities to transform their organisations and services to meet the needs of residents. The conference is an opportunity for those with an interest in change management, digital, organisational development, and transforming council services to network with peers and hear the very latest thinking on this key improvement agenda. This conference is for Councillors, Senior Officers and Directors of Transformation. Find out more and register here.
LGA Sustainability programme
The LGA has launched its new Sustainability programme, which is delivered in partnership and funded through the Crown Commercial Service. The programme provides opportunities to build councils’ capability and capacity in sustainability and the environment.
Check out the new Sustainability Hub on our website. If you have any questions about our Sustainability programme, please email us at sustainability@local.gov.uk.
Registration for CYBERUK 2024, ICC Birmingham, 13 – 15th May is open.
CYBERUK is the UK government’s flagship cyber security event, where thousands of industry leaders and professionals come together each year. It convenes over 2,000 cyber security leaders and professionals each year for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. Places are free for public sector attendees, and applications are open until 31st January 2024. Apply here.
NCSC relaunch new CISP platform
CISP (Connect, Inform, Share, Protect) is a platform for cyber security professionals in the UK to collaborate on cyber threats securely and confidentially. The platform, managed by NCSC, has recently relaunched and has a space tailored for local government professionals. Membership to the platform is free, and you can register and find out more here.
TechUK Digital Switchover Event – Helping Local Authorities get ready, March 5th, Hybrid
Join TechUK on March 5th for an event aimed at helping public sector bodies learn more about and prepare for the impacts of the Digital Switchover, featuring keynote speakers including Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure and Minister of State for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries, Julia Lopez MP and Chief Digital Officer for London, Theo Blackwell.
The event will take place in the techUK offices from 10:00 – 13:00 with a networking lunch and a chance to speak to Communications Providers about the Switchover individually. Online registration is also an option.
Representatives from Local Authorities alongside other industry stakeholders will be sharing their experience and recommendations for how to approach the Switchover and make the transition a smooth and successful one. The event is free to attend and open to all - register here now.
Socitm’s 2024 digital and technology trends
There’s a perfect storm of rapidly advancing new technologies and increasing public expectations. Socitm’s seventh annual trends report examines a fundamental shift needed for local government. Despite extreme pressures on finances and staffing, the report offers evidence on how services must primarily become digital.
Browse this year’s report here.
Ofcom seeks input on the impact of potential changes to the postal service
Ofcom is calling for a national debate about the future of the universal postal service. It has set out evidence that the universal service for letters needs to change to better align with the needs of consumers, and to ensure it can continue to be affordable and sustainable in the future.
With the increased digitalisation of local services, and digitally excluded residents' reliance on letters, Ofcom believes the sector are key senders of letters and is interested in hearing about the impact of potential changes to delivery frequency and/or delivery speed for letters on local government by 3 April.
Please find out more here, or for more information or to arrange a meeting, email futurepostaluso@ofcom.org.uk.
Cyber Governance Code of Practice Call for Views
The UK government is seeking views on a new Cyber Governance Code of Practice to enhance cyber security in organisations. The code will include requirements for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and cyber security measures. Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on the proposed guidelines to improve cyber resilience. Input from industry experts and organisations will help shape the Code's final version. Submissions close on the 19th March. Find out more here.
JCNSS launches inquiry on Defending Democracy
The National Security Strategy Joint Committee has launched an inquiry on defending democracy in the UK. With a particular focus on AI and cyber security requirements, the committee aims to examine the measures in place to safeguard the democratic process from potential threats. This inquiry will address the importance of technology in ensuring the integrity of the electoral system. The Committee is now inviting evidence on several questions, and submissions are open until the 18th March.
Communications and Digital Committee Report into Large Language Models and Generative AI
The inquiry into Large Language Models and Generative AI, which the LGA submitted a joint response to with Socitm and Solace, has been published. To steer the UK toward a positive outcome, the Committee sets out 10 core recommendations. These include measures to boost opportunities, address risks, support effective regulatory oversight - including to ensure open competition and avoid market dominance by established technology giants - achieve the aims set out in the AI White Paper, introduce new standards, and resolve copyright disputes. You can read a summary, and the full report here.
Digital For All Campaign
This March, leading digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation has launched Digital For All - a national campaign to raise awareness of the serious, urgent issue of digital exclusion in our society. The campaign is made up of impactful stories from people whose lives have been transformed after getting a range of free digital inclusion support.
If digital inclusion is on your agenda, get involved:
- Check out Good Things' billboards. Stories will be shared on billboards across the nation throughout March to drive the public's awareness of digital inclusion support.
- If you have stories of digital inclusion to share, or can help Good Things spread their message, get in touch at press@goodthingsfoundation.org and the team will send you a campaign communications toolkit
- Keep an eye on Good Things' website and social media channels from March 1st to more ways to get involved.
Minimum Digital Living Standards Launch Event, London, 12-4pm
What is the 'basket' of digital goods, services, and skills needed by an average UK family to live in a digital world? Join the University of Liverpool and Good Things Foundation to find out about their groundbreaking work to develop the Minimum Digital Living Standard for households, starting with households with children. The final report will be launched at an in-person event in London on Monday 18th March, hosted by the Nuffield Foundation, 100 St John Street, EC1M 4EH from 12:00-16:00.
The project team will share the final results: what members of the public (taking part in deliberative groups held across the UK) felt should be in the MDLS 'basket' for households with children, a survey of how many UK households with children meet the MDLS, and insights from families and stakeholders on the MDLS. The team will also share findings from research to develop a Welsh Minimum Digital Living Standard and there will be time for Q&A and networking at the event. Please use the link here to book a place.
Cyber, Digital and Technology Team: cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
For more information visit our Cyber and Digital hub
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