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Dear colleague
Welcome to the twenty-seventh edition of the LGA’s Cyber, Digital and Technology Bulletin, and the final edition of 2024.
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re proud to reflect on a transformative year for the LGA’s Cyber, Digital, and Technology programme. This year we’ve grown to a 19-strong team, strengthened partnerships, showcased innovation and represented the needs of councils nationally. While we couldn’t cover everything, here are some of the highlights that made 2024 such a success.
Collaboration at the core
We hosted an impressive 30 network meetings of over 1000 colleagues, and convened 8 sector roundtables, bringing together local government leaders, experts, and stakeholders to tackle the challenges faced by the sector.
Key issues have included navigating complex regulatory landscapes, ensuring equitable access to technology, protecting sensitive data, and responsible and ethical AI deployment. These were all evident in our Technology Innovation Showcase, delivered with Public, where we brought SMEs and councils together on 4 key challenge statements, highlighting challenge-led cutting-edge tools and solutions for local government.
Equipping leaders and officers for the future
Digital upskilling took centre stage this year. Our flagship training initiatives took place:
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Digitalisation training for Councillors, delivered in collaboration with Public, to empower elected members with the tools to lead in a digital-first world.
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Digitalisation training for officers, developed alongside the Change Network, providing practical skills to embed transformation across services.
Driving insight and innovation
In April, we held the inaugural Smith Square Debate on AI, sparking thoughtful conversations on artificial intelligence’s potential to reshape public services. This year, our AI activity has gone from strength to strength, Our AI network has over 450 members and in 2024 it has showcased the work of over 30 councils and their partners. We launched a new AI Practitioners Network with LocalGov Digital for those at the coalface of AI adoption in councils. We launched our AI Hub, featuring 13 case studies and with 15 more use cases in the pipeline to develop a comprehensive understanding of how AI is being implemented within local government.
We published Cyber Unpacked: Series 2, demystifying complex cyber challenges and strategies for local authorities. We shared real-world examples of the importance of cyber security measures in the St Helens case study of a cyber incident. Our tailored support shone through 28 bespoke exercises as we moved towards a model of Sector-Led Consultancy and delivered our first Digital 360.
Digital communities
This year, we have focused on the importance of Digital Communities, and our new APPG chaired by Helen Morgan MP was launched. The Connectivity webinar series, in collaboration with DSIT, explored how enhanced digital infrastructure can unlock opportunities for communities nationwide.
We are continuing to work with central government and the sector on the key intersections between digital connectivity and digital inclusion. With government’s renewed prioritisation of digital inclusion, our Digital Inclusion Network are shaping DSIT’s developing Digital Inclusion Strategy, and we held a showcase event to highlight the important role of councils in closing the digital divide to policy makers.
Learning, sharing, and growing together
At the LGA’s Annual Conference in Harrogate in October, we were delighted to be joined by Vikki Slade MP, Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader at Essex County Council, and Jason Tutin, Head of 100% Digital Leeds for a session on Digitally Inclusive and Connected Communities. The Innovation Zone also featured a range of cyber and digital sessions.
We held a series of Service Standard events, helping councils embed best practices into their service design and delivery, where we will launch a new Service Standards Community of Practice.
And we didn’t stop there — our new LinkedIn page is a growing community, and this bulletin reaches over 2,200 subscribers, strengthening the network of professionals committed to delivering exceptional digital and cyber capabilities across local government.
Thank you to everyone who has joined us in some way over the past year – we’re looking forward to everything 2025 has in store.
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 – including over Christmas and New Year.
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Owen Pritchard
Head of Cyber, Digital and Technology
Local Government Association
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Innovation Zone applications 2025 now open!
Each year, the LGA Conference Innovation Zone is a vibrant and creative space which showcases the outstanding, innovative work of councils across a range of service and policy areas. We are now accepting applications from councils, and organisations working with councils, to be part of the Innovation Zone at the LGA Conference 2025, which will take place from 1 – 3 July in Liverpool.
If you have an innovative solution to a cyber, digital, or technology challenge, with excellent practice to share that delegates can learn from and utilise in their own authorities and communities, then consider applying for 2025! Further information, including the link to apply, can be found on the website.
2024’s Innovation Zone featured a series of CDT-related presentations, including:
- North Yorkshire Council’s Spotlight On session demonstrating the use of artificial intelligence in social care.
- Hertfordshire County Council’s use of data inspired assistive technology to support residents living at home for longer.
- Salford City Council’s use of digital triage for frontline services.
If you are unsure if your idea is relevant or applicable, please contact us via innovationzone@local.gov.uk and we would be happy to provide guidance.
Applications close on Monday 3 February 2025.
NHS ten-year plan
The team has worked to support the LGAs submission to the Change NHS portal on the biggest challenges and enablers to making better use of technology in health and care - this is a major opportunity for the local government sector to use our collective voice to help shape the Ten-Year Plan for Health. The team has also been working to support our senior leadership who are members of working groups of the Ten-Year Plan including the Digital and Data working group to ensure that local government’s priorities are represented. We will be looking to engage wider with the sector on this topic in the new year.
Digital Communities APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group)
We recently launched our Digital Communities APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group), promoting the delivery of digitally equipped places that support and foster a connected, healthy and productive community. The group is chaired by Helen Morgan MP, and the secretariat is provided by the LGA. The webpage for the group is now live, where you can see any updates on digital communities activity.
LGA Technology Innovation Showcase
In November, we worked with delivery partner PUBLIC to bring together local government leaders and cutting-edge startups to explore the power of technology in transforming local services last week at their Technology Innovation Showcase. With over 300 colleagues joining us across the in person and virtual sessions, it was an inspiring day of collaboration and innovation. The team worked with councils over the summer to define key challenges facing the sector: planning; social care; council’s digital front door with residents and improving local places. Taking this challenge-led approach to the market, there was an open call for vendors to apply their solutions to these challenges. Vendors were then shortlisted based on the efficacy of their idea and their approaches to responsible deployment to pitch their solution to the four key challenge areas on the day of the Showcase. The Showcase also saw presentations from Ada Lovelace Institute and No10’s Data Science team on the ethical considerations and innovative ways to explore AI in the sector. Find out more about the project on our website and read the presentation delivered on the day.
A project report will soon be available on our showcase webpage detailing key insights and shared learnings from the Showcase for both councils and vendors. Our goal is to continue supporting and guiding the sector to adopt these new technologies securely.
Our team is available to discuss any aspects of the showcase or potential opportunities further, please contact sarah.slate@local.gov.uk.
Cyber grab bag & crisis comms
We are developing a ‘Cyber Incident Grab Bag’, detailing key considerations and communication guidance for Councils in the face of major and high impacting cyber incident. The grab bag will outline:
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Considerations for the immediate resources that need to be convened (i.e. technical and hardware resources, information, and different stakeholders roles and responsibilities) from day 0 of a major cyber incident.
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The process of notifying relevant regulatory authorities.
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Communication and stakeholder management guidance for each stage of the response based on best practice examples.
The purpose of the Grab Bag is to complement business continuity and incident response plans in Councils. We are keen to hear from officers who would be interested in a 'grab bag', and/or who would like to share their experiences or resources for responding to cyber incidents. Please reach out to sarah.slate@local.gov.uk
GOV.UK Service Standard research and community of practice
The Cyber, Digital and Technology team will be publishing a report in the New Year into the investigation of the use and adoption of the Government Digital Service’s Service Standard, and the challenges the sector experiences in delivering inclusive digital public services. Thank you to all colleagues that have taken part so far, and if you are interested in learning more and/or being involved in the research, please email Sarah Slate: sarah.slate@local.gov.uk.
Additionally, if you are interested in being part of a Service Design Community of Practice, to share learnings and best practice for designing local digital public services, please sign up via our form. Additionally, if you were interested in being part of a Service Design Community of Practice, to share learnings and best practice for designing local digital public services, please sign up through our form.
Artificial intelligence use case bank
Our artificial Intelligence use case bank within our AI Hub is continuing to grow, with some brilliant examples of innovation from councils using AI. We have recently uploaded a video from our AI Network of Kent’s approach to using predictive analytics within homelessness and have new case studies from Halton and Peterborough coming soon. If you have an example of using AI you would like to share on our AI Hub, please contact Isobel.parkes@local.gov.uk.
NCSC principles on ransomware resistant backups
In light of the increasing threat of ransomware attacks, it is essential for individuals and organisations to safeguard their data against potential compromise. To help assist in this, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has provided valuable resources on creating ransomware-resistant backups.
AIME Consultation: Shape the future of AI in local government
The AI Management Essentials consultation is now open, providing an opportunity for councils to contribute to the development of ethical and responsible AI frameworks. Share your insights and help shape the future of AI in local government. The consultation is open until the 29th January 2025, and you can find out more about the AIME tool itself and the consultation on the consultation website. The LGA CDT policy team will be developing a response in collaboration with other key local government partner organisations and have recently published a brief explaining what this means for local government.
Government to better protect vulnerable people using safety alarms
The government has reached a landmark agreement with the telecoms industry to better protect vulnerable people who rely on safety alarms. This is significant for nearly two million people in the UK who use these vital alarms to call for help, particularly the elderly and disabled.
The new measures will bolster protections for these individuals during the switch from analogue to digital landlines, ensuring they can continue to receive the help they need.
Lloyds Consumer Digital Index 2024
The Consumer Digital Index is the UK’s largest study of digital and financial lives. First published in 2016, the report uses transactional and survey data. This year’s edition is now live. Some key statistics from the report include:
- 6 million people (11 per cent) cannot recognise what content online may not be trustworthy.
- Just 48 per cent of the labour force can do all 20 work tasks within the Essential Digital Skills Framework.
- Accessible services, connectivity and complexity remain challenges for those who are not engaging digitally.
iNetwork event on EDI in AI Transformation Projects, 30 January 2025
Organised by iNetwork and is delivered by the Transforming & Innovating Public Services (TIPS) programme, this event will look at EDI and Vulnerabilities in AI Transformation Projects
There will be presentations for three speakers:
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Claire Lesko, Programme Head - AI & Digital @ Equality and Human Rights Commission who will be providing a PSED & Data Protection guidance update and information on their EIA 10 step guide.
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Jane Hancer, Programme Director at CC2i who will be talking about the use of WhatsApp as a communication tool, able to be used in any language.
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Abigail Everett from Policy in Practice who will be talking about their Low-Income Family Tracker (LIFT) which is supporting people to claim what they are entitled to.
There will then be a Q&A discussion with speakers.
Ada Lovelace: Spending Wisely - Redesigning the landscape for the procurement of AI in local government.
The new report from the Ada Lovelace Institute highlights the importance of ethical considerations, transparency, and accountability in procurement process when buying AI products. It provides valuable insights and recommendations for organisations looking to make more informed and responsible procurement decisions. The LGA has been contributing to ensure local government experiences are understood and reflected. You can read the full report online.
DEMOS Tech that Liberates: A new vision for embedding AI in public service reform
In this paper, DEMOS set out a systemic vision for embedding data and AI in service of lasting change, for more resilient and well-functioning public services, rather than treating AI as a sticking plaster on top of broken public services. The paper takes a deeper dive into the impact of technological adoption on the public sector workforce, and how technology can be put in the service of public sector professionals and citizens. You can read the paper on their website.
Public Digital Data Bites
Data Bites is a monthly meetup which aims to put interesting work with data on the record for us all to learn from, provide a space for people in and around government to discuss data, and bring what data can do for us to life. Every month, four speakers are each given eight minutes - there are eight bits in a byte, so there are eight minutes in a Data Bite - to share their work, followed by eight minutes of questions. You can sign up for the next event on 4 December, and if you know someone who should present in future, you can suggest them to events@public.digital.
Local Government Partnership Network
Data managers, decision-makers, and digital transformation leads gathered for an engaging session on the overwhelming potential—and challenges—of data-driven decision making. While local authorities are flooded with data, the vision of truly leveraging it can feel elusive. This session broke down the noise into three critical areas to help turn data into a real asset, with actionable strategies to guide decisions effectively. Rebekah Wilson and Annie Radcliffe, ran a session on ‘Building trust in data; principles and practices.’ Register early for next year’s #LGPN to dive deeper into actionable data strategies that drive impact.
Cyber, Digital and Technology Team: cyberanddigital@local.gov.uk
For more information visit our Cyber and Digital hub
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