The Local Digital Programme is to undergo a two-year independent evaluation to assess its effectiveness.
The team within the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) that runs the programme said the study will be carried out by a consortium of technology consultancies Public and Daintta, along with the Society of Innovation, Technology and Modernisation (Socitm).
It is aimed at demonstrating the impact and outcomes of digital and cyber projects within councils, providing them with a snapshot of their maturity in the fields, measuring the success of support from the programme, and providing evidence to support the scaling up of council initiatives.
It will also help to define how the programme develops future funding and support.
The evaluation will involve collecting feedback from councils through surveys, interviews and workshops.
Collaborate and reuse
The announcement stated: “The Local Digital programme aims to deliver more user centred and cost-effective local public services through open, collaborative and reusable work, and improve the cyber security of councils by helping them move away from insecure technology.
“We want to work with councils to gather feedback on their digital and cyber position, what obstacles they face, and what delivers the best outcomes for local government.”
So far DLUHC has provided almost £42 million in funding for various digital and cyber initiatives in local government in England under the programme. The most recent round of funding involved the allocation of £2 million to 16 projects.
