Digital
Stoke-on-Trent is the litmus test for levelling up
Connectivity, growth and productivity are the three words at the heart of the priorities running through the new city prospectus for Stoke-on-Trent, says Cllr Abi Brown.
Bright future for Britain’s Jurassic Coast
Dorset Council is leading a consortium of local, national and international partners delivering the £7m 5G RuralDorset project. Matt Prosser explains why the new unitary authority is involved, and outlines the potential benefits.
Greater Manchester’s healthy case for digital innovation
COVID-19 is accelerating digital health and social care innovation in Greater Manchester, including work to understand the support needed by Troubled Families, and to help care homes track cases of the virus, says Lou Cordwell.
Reset and rebuild: delivering better connected services
At a recent webinar organised by The MJ and BT, three speakers gave a national, local and provider perspective on the Government's £5bn gigabit speed connectivity revolution. Michael Burton reports.
The move to home working poses huge problems
The trend to more working from home looks set to continue post COVID, says Ben Page. 'But it poses huge problems for anyone invested in commercial property or city centres – which includes many local authorities.'
What's the future for digital democracy without virtual meetings?
Handforth Parish Council aside, if we can't hold council meeting via Zoom beyond 6 May, what will democracy look like after the elections, asks Kathy O'Leary
Let’s digitise local democracy in civil, safe and productive ways
If the Handforth Parish Council video proved anything, it’s the need to digitise democracy, say Wietse Van Ransbeeck and Lora Botev.
Support needed to sustain data innovations
Developments in the use of data by councils could be lost without further investment and training, a new report has found.
It is time to digitise democracy
In May we will be back to the council chamber, all due to a lack of legislation to let councils continue online, says Heather Jameson. Keeping digital democracy 'would work wonders for the levelling up agenda', she adds.
Giving places a bad name
Those over-eager social media algorithms have been at it again.
Pandemic procurement failings and how technology can help
Through leveraging digital marketplace technology, the Government would be able to ensure items are procured both quickly and at a low cost, says Garry Jones.
Making use of robotic process automation at Medway Council
Patrick Knight outlines how his Medway Council team’s innovative use of digital transformation has migrated six million files, saved thousands of hours, and helped distribute COVID business grants worth £36.5m.
Apprenticeships are the future for digital transformation
In the battle for digital talent, apprenticeships can be local government’s secret weapon, says Euan Blair.
What next for the capital post-pandemic?
The levelling up agenda has focused on the Midlands and the North, but London’s economy has also been hard hit by the pandemic. The MJ and BT spoke to eight London chief executives on how they are adapting to the changes. Michael Burton reports.
Protecting the public through data analytics
NHS Digital’s Neighbourhood View and multiple private dashboards can make a real difference to our understanding of the pandemic, says Tim Archer.
When a digital community is the answer
Kathy Kyle Bonomini outlines how she and her team have created a free community platform and social media channels to enable groups to collaborate on high street rejuvenation.
No turning back the digital revolution
The pandemic transformed councils, in their digital processes and engagement. The MJ and Capita hosted two webinars in which chief executives and directors discussed how they and their communities were changed by COVID-19. Michael Burton reports.
A well-deserved break for the workforce
Even the Government’s most fervent supporters must admit its response to the pandemic has been muddled, says Michael Burton. In contrast, local government has risen to the challenge.
Leading the charge to a brighter 2021
With a year of challenge, opportunity and growth for HR and OD incoming, Fiyin Fayeye looks at the results of Penna’s HR survey of 2020 and says that a new style of leadership is emerging.
A once-in-a-generation moment?
The COVID crisis appears to have greatly increased local public sector leaders’ appetite for transforming how their organisations operate, says Joan Munro. National government could do much more to incentivise and support this.
