Technology
Taking the tea
Diary appreciates it’s not been easy for councillors to get to grips with the new technology involved in holding meetings virtually.
The learning never stops
Drawing on feedback from Solace’s recent development programmes and events, Jessica Mullinger assesses the advantages and disadvantages to both live and virtual settings as we look at different ways of learning due to the pandemic.
How Enterprise Ireland companies help the UK secure the road ahead
Ireland’s innovation agency is helping to improve road usability, quality, access and most importantly safety writes Laura Brocklebank, Enterprise Ireland’s Manchester based UK Local Authorities Lead.
Future-proofing Walsall
Remote working can bring challenges, says Dr Helen Paterson. But Walsall MBC’s Workforce Strategy had already started to build agility and helped it become a council that is digital by design.
Change in a time of uncertainty
Stephen Young outlines how, as COVID-19 gripped the UK, Lancashire CC took the decision to grab a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a whole series of new working practices and customer experiences from scratch.
We’re upping councils’ data game
Social Finance is working with partners to design a sector-led data science apprenticeship programme, starting with children’s services. Celine Gross outlines the aims and the approach.
Hackney cyberattack shows councils must bolster their cybersecurity
Local authorities need to strengthen their cybersecurity posture to deliver high-quality public services and protect sensitive data, says Terry Greer-King.
Stepping up to the challenge of socially distanced teams
With remote working likely to remain for the foreseeable future, what do leaders need to do to ensure their teams continue to function well and develop? Dr Simon Willson looks at ways in which this might be done.
Using online tools to get businesses and citizens back on their feet
Joe Bedingfield looks at how councils are using online tools to serve citizens throughout and beyond COVID-19, and examines some of the digital usage patterns during lockdown.
Digitising the front door to care
A new 'white paper' report by consultancy Agilisys outlines how technology can help lead the rethink of the care sector. Author Steve Morgan talks to Michael Burton of The MJ about some of the solutions.
Using technology to help in the second wave
The pandemic has opened people’s eyes to the possibilities of technology in social care and this winter the benefits are going to be more important than ever, says Mark Kennion.
Survey shows councillors expect more COVID-related cuts
More than two thirds of councillors believe the COVID-19 pandemic will mean further cuts to public sector budgets, according to a UK-wide survey.
Future Forum: Pandemic forced digital drive
Residents interacting with their council want a similar experience to booking a holiday or shopping slot online, the chief executive of Bexley has told The MJ’s Future Forum.
Planning Reforms: Data can shine a light on the true social value of development
Liam Ronan-Chlond says the challenges for both public and private sectors is how to properly measure the impact development has in the community – and technology can play a pivotal role.
Four in five council staff working from home
The number of council staff working from home has rocketed from 5% pre-lockdown to 80%, according to new research.
COVID-19: A perfect storm for technology innovation in social care?
Carers must be enabled to remain in the profession for longer, say Graham Allen and Steve Carefull, and early indications from Hampshire suggest ‘cobots’ may be one way this can be achieved.
Keeping business locked up during lockdown
Tony Ellis describes how the pandemic brought unique challenges to the task of ensuring cyber security at England's newest council was robust enough for launch day.
Meeting citizens’ expectations after the pandemic
Hilary Jones highlights how COVID-19 has been the catalyst for shifting up a gear when it comes to communicating with local residents, providing the environment and the permission for digital to take centre stage.
A time for vigilance as ransomware threat still looms
Among the many recently identified threat vectors that should concern local government is a malware threat group known as APT12, which has been attributed to China, warns chief executive of the iESE Dr Andrew Larner.
Digital engines – the ‘new normal’ in local government?
Digital engines will become a staple of every local authority’s digital provision moving forward into the ‘new normal’, says John McMahon.
