Digital
Rise of the robots?
Chatbots are predicted to massively increase the relevance of local councils to the average millennial.
Digital tax planned to balance 'antiquated' business rates
Calls by MPs to scrap business rates have been rejected by a Treasury minister.
People power: why cities must embrace data democracy for the public good
Nathan Pierce argues it is time our data was put to use by European cities for the public good rather than private gain.
Can technology help secure the future for local authorities?
Following the annual Local State We're In survey, PwC's Jonathan House says councils face a tougher test than ever, but remain optimistic.
Councils pessimistic over their future sustainability
Three-quarters of senior officers expect austerity to claim more victims in the coming year, while a third are pessimistic about balancing savings with protecting frontline services in years to come.
GDPR and you
Every council is a data-driven business. GDPR marks the starting line for better data management writes Jos Creese.
Evolution vs revolution
There is a data revolution coming, and Shropshire Council has embraced this to help improve local knowledge and services. Andy Begley looks at the progress made.
Social media can be a distraction as well as a useful tool
Allen Graham argues it is important to maintain a focused communication presence within an organisation while being sure not to get stuck on fads or fashions.
Councils asked to review cyber-security preparedness
Councils across the country have been called on to share information about their cyber security resilience so that a support plan for local government can be implemented this autumn.
Future Forum: LGA to push for place-based EU funding replacement
The Local Government Association (LGA) will push for a place-based replacement for EU funding after Brexit, Smith Square’s chief executive has said.
Chief sought answers from building society over fraud
Dundee City Council’s chief executive sought assurances over anti-money laundering practices from a major building society following a £1.1m fraud by a former staff member, it has emerged.
No-one left behind: driving digital inclusion in Scotland
While basic digital skills are high, Scotland’s beautiful but equally dispersed landscape has helped make it the most digitally excluded region in the UK.
Big data for health and social care planning?
In this, the first article in a series for The MJ, Andy Begley looks at how data might be used in future to better serve the health and care needs of communities.
Cloud-busting for better IT budgeting
The cloud is now taken for granted as an essential part of everyday communication, so why are councils taking so long to adopt cloud-based IT systems, and how might they benefit by doing so, asks Jos Creese.
Korea to Kingston: creating smarter cities
Youngji Yang, currently on secondment from Seoul, looks back at her time at Kingston upon Thames RLBC and shares the knowledge the two regions have been able to share.
Councils told to be on guard post-Salisbury
Council bosses have been warned to weigh-up risks of fresh attacks from ‘hostile states’ following the Salisbury poisonings.
Meeting the cyber security threat: are you ready?
With local authorities increasingly concerned about cyber security, The MJ and BT undertook a survey to gauge the level of preparation. Michael Burton reports on the key findings.
Call for new 'Lego' public sector model
A ‘Lego government’ model of an internet-based public sector based around standardised blocks of online services could release an extra £46bn for the frontline, claims a report launched at the Institute for Government.
Innovation: we’re just getting started
Local Government lost one of its true innovators recently – and one whose vision for digital innovation in local services will live on for decades to come.
It takes a village: the deal between councils and communities to drive change
It’s become all too familiar to state that resources and funding for local authorities are at a tipping point. And with continued new legislation, the need to improve cyber security, rising demand on services and a stretched public workforce, the road ahead is increasingly complex.