Three national organisations for local government have launched a new outcomes based framework to support digitalisation programmes in the sector.
The Local Government Association (LGA), the Society for Innovation, Technology and Modernisation (Socitm) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (Solace) have produced the framework to promote a common language and shared strategic outcomes for councils.
The announcement said this will support them when engaging with central government, private, voluntary and community sectors and with one another.
The framework involves 12 strategic outcomes – set out in detail by Socitm in a report on a consultation at St George’s House – related to connectivity, data, democracy, ethics, inclusion, leadership, local productivity, organisational capability, partnership, security and resilience, services and value.
It also emphasises what Socitm sees as strategic priorities: to build upon the response of the public sector to Covid-19; to sustain step changes taken by local public service providers; and to harness digital cultures, capabilities, technologies and data.
Plan for almanac
In addition, the LGA has opened a procurement process to find a supplier to lead on the delivery of a local government digitalisation almanac. The tender document says this will help councils to build a strong digital culture, prioritise work programmes, self-assess strategic aims, mitigate common challenges and learn from best practice.
Cllr Neil Prior, deputy chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: “During the pandemic, we saw more than ever before our reliance and need to be able to access services online.
“Councils are already leading the way in providing online services and meeting the digital needs of their local communities.
“However, this partnership working together will set out a common language which will enable us to take this to the next level, better engage with local and central government, and deliver digital services more effectively for residents.”
Positive influence
Socitm president Huw McKee said: “This agreed language and shared strategic aims puts our sector in a strong position to positively influence engagement with central government, which ultimately benefits digital delivery in the communities we serve”.
Alison McKenzie-Folan, digital leadership lead for Solace, said: "Local government continually pushes the boundaries through its digital transformation and technical creativity and this valuable resource will only add to our ability to share practice, communicate effectively and build partnerships.”
