A recent project led by the Local Government Association sought to establish an ‘open dialogue’ between authorities and emerging tech firms to enable continued public-service innovation. PublicTechnology finds out more.
In recent years, digital and transformation advocates have often suggested that public sector bodies could be well-served by replicating – at least to some extent – the ethos and culture of start-up businesses.
A recent project led by the Local Government Association sought to bring the two worlds a little closer together, by enabling councils across their country and their senior leaders to engage with emerging technology firms. The LGA Technology Innovation Showcase – delivered in conjunction with public sector-focused SME tech accelerator Public – examined how artificial intelligence and smart tools could be used to help local authorities in meeting four challenges, covering social care, planning, online services, and place-based approaches.
Following the delivery of the project, which included an in-depth report and a one-day showcase event, PublicTechnology caught up with Tom Hindmarch, digital policy adviser at the LGA’s specialist cyber, digital and technology team, to find out more about the project, and the wider landscape of new technology and innovation across the local-government sector.

PublicTechnology: Innovation is a broad concept; what does it mean to the LGA and to local councils?
Tom Hindmarch: Innovation is a core value at the LGA and within our team. Local government constantly strives to improve service delivery for residents, necessitating a flexible approach to evolving circumstances, emerging challenges, and new opportunities. Innovation demands creativity, a willingness to experiment, and often, a bold leap into the unknown. This involves exploring new ways of working, challenging the status quo, and embracing change.
We regularly witness innovative practices from councils. The average council will leverage more than 200 different digital technologies to deliver services effectively. By pioneering the use of digital tools, councils drive efficiency, enhance productivity, and ultimately deliver positive change for their communities.
The LGA plays a critical role in fostering innovation within the sector by sharing knowledge and best practices from successful projects. Our recent technology showcase aimed to support innovation by creating a platform for open dialogue with vendors, exploring the possibilities of emerging technologies.

What are the key new technologies, concepts or ways of operating that can support councils in innovating?
Councils are at the forefront of embracing and utilising digital technologies. This encompasses not only the adoption of new technologies but also the continuous enhancement and optimisation of existing digital systems.
Through our extensive knowledge-sharing networks, we actively engage with the sector and stay abreast of emerging trends. Our case studies provide ample evidence of the diverse ways councils are utilising digital technology to improve service delivery and enhance resident experiences.
Undoubtedly the recent surge in AI has generated significant excitement within the sector. A key focus of our forum discussions is the potential of AI to enhance organisational efficiency and productivity through safe and responsible adoption. However, this focus on AI has also highlighted the value of existing methodologies like robotic process automation (RPA), which has been successfully employed by many councils to streamline repetitive tasks.
Concurrently, conversations on AI and RPA have underscored the critical importance of robust data capabilities and high-quality data.
The digital landscape of local government is constantly evolving. I am confident that councils will continue to be early adopters of cutting-edge technologies, such as quantum computing, as they emerge.

AI is an obvious touchpoint; how you would characterise the sector’s current uses?
In February 2024, the Local Government Association conducted a survey to investigate the use of AI within English councils. This research aimed to understand the current state of AI deployment in local services and identify key opportunities and risks.
The survey revealed that a significant majority of respondents (85%) were either currently using AI or exploring its potential, with half (51%) still in the early stages of their AI journey. While the use of generative AI is prominent, this landscape is rapidly evolving. We are currently updating our survey findings to reflect this dynamic environment.
Preliminary results indicate a growing momentum in AI adoption across councils. Our dedicated AI use case bank showcases several innovative examples, such as the use of AI to predict future trends and support preventative interventions.
The LGA plays a crucial role in ensuring all councils in England are adequately supported to safely and responsibly adopt AI technology. We recognise the immense potential of AI and the enthusiasm within the sector. However, it is essential to provide councils with the necessary support and resources to ensure safe and responsible AI adoption. This includes investing in staff training and upskilling to maximise the benefits of AI for the sector.

“There is a need to diversify the pool of vendors councils work with. While core digital tools may be effectively provided by large technology firms, SMEs often offer more flexible and adaptable solutions tailored to specific council challenges.”

What are some of the key challenges that new technology and innovation can help solve?
Numerous challenges facing local government can be addressed through the adoption of new technologies. Our Technology Innovation Showcase highlighted the diverse range of challenges that local government officers believe can be solved by AI and smart technologies.
We prioritised a ‘challenge-led’ approach, ensuring the project was driven by the needs of the sector. Councils across England, whom we designated as ‘challenge owners’, were instrumental in identifying and articulating their specific problems to which the technology market could offer solutions. This approach encouraged vendors to directly address real-world challenges faced by local authorities.
Collaborating with our delivery partner, Public, we worked closely with councils to define a set of challenges suitable for AI and smart technology solutions. This collaborative approach proved crucial to the initiative’s success.
Councils articulated a total of 92 challenges, which were then categorised into service areas. Based on commonalities, scalability, and ongoing sector engagement, we selected four key thematic areas for further exploration.
Common themes within our challenge statements were service areas such as planning, housing and social care as well as general business functions and repetitive tasks. We whittled the challenge statements down to four key challenges based on sector engagement and research expertise. The four challenges were:
- Challenge 1: How can AI and smart tech tools enable social care practitioners to spend more time with people who require their support?
- Challenge 2: How can AI and smart tech tools enhance the efficiency of different stages of the planning process?
- Challenge 3: How can AI and smart tech tools help implement a digital front door to a council’s information and services?
- Challenge 4: How can AI and smart tech tools improve local places through optimising the delivery of services?

How should councils’ relationships with supplier partners evolve to best support innovation?
Local government must view technology vendors as key partners, not merely as providers of tools. Additionally, there is a need to diversify the pool of vendors councils work with. While core digital tools may be effectively provided by large technology firms, SMEs often offer more flexible and adaptable solutions tailored to specific council challenges. We are keen to leverage opportunities for councils to collaborate with businesses to co-develop scalable solutions that address the unique needs of the sector in a safe and responsible way.

Our Technology Showcase demonstrated a strong appetite among businesses to engage in this type of collaborative activity. Vendors were eager to work with councils to understand their specific challenges and nuances, enabling them to develop technology solutions that effectively meet the needs of the sector. This project highlighted the need for ongoing learning and upskilling for both councils and businesses. Councils must navigate a complex environment with numerous statutory duties that often require careful consideration in technology development. We aim to support both councils and vendors in navigating this landscape to achieve the best possible outcomes for local government.
Over 70 vendors participated in our showcase event, driven solely by the opportunity to demonstrate how their technology could solve specific council challenges, rather than any financial incentive. This level of engagement has prompted us to explore ways to further facilitate collaboration between councils and businesses to drive innovation. We are keen to explore opportunities to evolve this concept beyond theoretical discussions and facilitate the rapid prototyping of scalable technology solutions within the local government sector.

What do you see as the LGA’s role in supporting innovation across the sector?
Through ongoing engagement with local government, we aim to effectively represent the sector’s digital needs at a national level. We are committed to ensuring that local government plays a central role in the innovation ecosystem and that the sector’s innovative use of technologies like AI is recognised nationally.
Councils play a crucial role in driving economic growth, and the LGA will continue to support them with expert advice, guidance, and knowledge sharing to ensure they are well-informed and equipped to navigate the evolving technological landscape.

Find out more about the LGA’s cyber, digital and technology team, the Technology Innovation Showcase, and the project’s concluding report