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Dear colleague
Welcome to the twenty-fourth edition of the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology Bulletin.
This month, we’ve been busy at events all across the country, engaging with councils, academia and government across the digitalisation landscape:
- Labour Party Conference in Liverpool “The Future of Public Services: Harnessing the Potential of Open Source AI”.
Next month, you’ll be able to find us at the LGA’s annual conference in Harrogate, taking place on the 22 to 24 October, where we’ll be running a workshop on Digitally Inclusive and Connected Communities, and supporting councils showcasing initiatives in the Innovation Zone. You can see the full programme here.
I would also like to take the opportunity to remind you of our LinkedIn page, which we will be updating regularly with news, opportunities, and support around our programme of work. Please join us here to keep up to date.
Please reach out if you have any further 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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Cyber, Digital, Data and Technology (CDDaT) skills consultation findings
We have published our cyber, digital, data, and technology (CDDaT) skills framework consultation findings. Our survey took responses from councils between March and May this year. It aimed to capture views on the framework's usefulness overall, the appropriateness and usefulness of its elements, whether any skills were missing, and which additional features would be useful.
As part of our response to the feedback, we have published a downloadable Excel version of the framework. The full report of the consultation survey is available on our website.
Roundtable: How to make the case for digital investment in local government? Wednesday 6 November, 10am – 12.15pm (Online)
The LGA is undertaking a piece of work to design and deliver guidance on how to develop and implement digital business cases, with a particular focus on measuring the benefits of digital change. This roundtable is being organised to understand the challenges councils currently face and to seek views from the sector to understand what an LGA-developed guide could look like to support councils address these challenges. Please visit the booking page for further information including how to register.
The Innovation Zone at LGA Annual Conference, Tuesday 22 – Thursday 24 October 2024 | Harrogate
The Innovation Zone offers a vibrant, creative space within the LGA’s Annual Conference, which enables councils to showcase their new ideas and solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing local government.
Applications are now closed, and the LGA were delighted to receive applications from a range of councils and partner organisations. This year’s programme will include a series of sessions focusing on cyber, digital and technology, including:
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North Yorkshire Council’s Spotlight On session demonstrating the use of artificial intelligence in social work.
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Hertfordshire County Council’s use of data-inspired assistive technology to support residents living at home for longer.
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Salford City Council’s use of digital triage for frontline services.
We are aiming to share excellent practice that all delegates can learn from and utilise to create a tangible, positive impact in their own councils and communities.
Transformation Innovation Exchange (TIEx): benchmarking window
Councils across the country are invited to participate in the TIEx benchmarking exercise. By completing the TIEx self-assessment, your council will gain invaluable insights into how you are performing with your use of data, digital technology and AI – and how you are performing compared to councils similar to yourselves.
We encourage councils who have not yet participated to get involved, and for those who have started the process to submit your responses by Friday 27 September. Don’t miss the chance to drive meaningful change in your council and contribute to the wider local government transformation agenda.
Leadership Essentials: Transformation (Session 1 – Virtual), Saturday 5 - Sunday 6 October 2024
As a councillor, you’re likely hearing that ‘transformation programmes’ are the way to make efficiencies and savings but what does that really mean? Our series of Leadership Essentials on Transformation will help demystify transformation, giving councillors the confidence and capability to lead the transformation agenda within their councils. Visit the LGA Transformation webpage for more information.
Good Things Foundation & Connected by Change publish ‘Partnership working to promote digital inclusion for health: local authorities' perspectives on working with primary care
Good Things Foundation, with the support of NHS England’s Primary Care and Community Transformation team has just published its latest report as part of its work with the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Health and Wellbeing Alliance.
The report explores local authorities’ experiences of engaging and working with health partners in primary care to promote digital inclusion for health and was partly informed by a workshop at the LGA’s Digital Inclusion Network earlier this year.
Sunderland wins Community Improvement Award at Connected Britain 2024
Sunderland City Council's innovative program to tackle digital exclusion has been recognised at the Connected Britain 2024 awards. The program provides residents with essential digital skills training and access to free Wi-Fi hotspots and digital hubs. This initiative has empowered over 200,000 residents and significantly improved the lives of people in the community. Sunderland City Council is committed to building a future that is smart, connected, and inclusive for all.
Supporting vulnerable individuals: New SAVVI playbook released
iStandUK has released a comprehensive guide on using the SAVVI (Scalable Approach to Vulnerability Via Interoperability) data standard. This playbook helps local authorities identify and support vulnerable populations through improved data sharing and service delivery.
What are the possibilities of a good digital society? Collection by The British Academy
As part of its Digital Society policy programme, the British Academy has published thirteen discussion papers from a range of expert perspectives to explore the question: ‘What are the possibilities of a good digital society?’
The papers explore a wide range of issues, from the environmental impacts of digitalised daily life to the possibilities of ‘good’ Generative AI in the cultural and creative industries to examining more closely what we mean by a ‘good digital society’.
Building inclusive government services: Lessons from GOV.UK One Login
The Government Digital Service (GDS) shares their ongoing efforts to make GOV.UK One Login accessible for everyone. This blog post dives into user research that uncovered barriers faced by different groups and how they're adapting the design for an inclusive experience at scale.
Introducing the Open Referral UK Steering Group
Digital Ethics Unconference, TechUK, 24 October, 3.30 – 5.30pm, London
Join techUK for their upcoming Digital Ethics Unconference. This interactive event invites participants to engage in open discussions on ethical considerations for technology use in various sectors.
TechUK, Digital Connectivity in Telecare, 11 November, 9am, London
The aim is to support local boroughs in learning about the innovative technologies on offer and understand what needs to be considered when procuring devices fit for the digital network and future connectivity. Speakers: Theo Blackwell (Chief Digital Officer for London) and James Friend (Director of Digital Strategy for London – NHSE).
Cyber, Digital and Technology Team: cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
For more information visit our Cyber and Digital hub
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