The Government Digital Service (GDS) is preparing a ‘sprint’ exercise with representatives of local government to find better ways of the two sides working together on the development of digital services.
It has identified five issues for discussion as a first step in its new engagement effort.
This follows indications in the recently published ‘Blueprint for modern digital government’ that GDS is extending its role beyond providing services for central government, and the secondment of London’s chief digital officer Theo Blackwell to lead the initiative.
In a post on LinkedIn, he has encouraged local government digital officials to reach out to him, and outlined the five priorities.
These cover: how central government supports local transformation; reducing IT costs and friction through better procurement; making it easier to share and use data across local government; helping councils get the digital leadership and skills needed; and giving councils access to GDS products and AI tools in development.
Two-way dialogue
“This isn't about central government telling local government what to do,” Blackwell said. “It's about two-way dialogue, learning from each other and working together to make services better for users.”
He is working with the Local Government Association, and planning a webinar to be held with the LocalGov Digital practitioner’s group on 26 February. This will provide its members with an opportunity to ask questions and provide their views.
