One Team Gov goes global
The government reform movement has snowballed to include both counterparts in other countries and the wider public sector. PublicTechnology went along to its first global event to find out more
Chatbots, free WiFi, and paperless councillors – Waltham Forest’s digital transformation
Executive and political leadership at the east London council talk to PublicTechnology...
The innovation strategy should not be a minister saying ‘that one looks shiny’ – Dowden’s pragmatic plan
Minister for implementation pledges that the upcoming government innovation strategy will be a...
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User need and integrated, intuitive systems: How Newham is digitising social care
Newham’s digital delivery could show the way for other councils to make social services more efficient. Gill Hitchcock finds out why.
Expert verdict: Corbyn helps put digital on the map but manifesto lacks ambition
The digital democracy manifesto launched by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn earlier this week has failed to gain the approval of those working in public sector technology.
The Pokemon Go effect: How councils are tapping into augmented and virtual reality
Sooraj Shah looks at the benefits of AR and VR, and asks whether councils should be spending taxpayers’ money on the emerging technologies so soon.
“Our country was like a start-up”: Lessons from Estonia and why true e-government requires trust and buy-in
As the UK government pushes its digital transformation agenda, PublicTechnology looks at how other countries have forged ahead. According to an Estonian e-governance expert, identification systems are crucial. Rebecca Hill reports.
Empowering women: How Socitm wants to boost IT professionals’ confidence
This autumn, the next cohort of women will start Socitm’s empowering women in IT programme. Rebecca Hill finds out how the society wants to promote female tech role models as part of PublicTechnology's diversity in tech series.
Blockchain - don't get carried away by the hype
Adam Cooper from the Government Digital Service says blockchain technologies are not yet the answer to digital identification solutions.
Interview: Simon Parker, Redbridge Council’s incoming strategy director, on agile working, data and transformation
Simon Parker, the outgoing director of the NLGN think tank, reflects on six years in the job and tells Rebecca Hill how he plans to use digital approaches in his move to Redbridge Council
Tenacity and navel-gazing: Wigan’s road to digital success
Around 18 months ago, senior leaders at Wigan Council decided to take digital seriously. Since then the authority has won multiple awards for its transformation. Rebecca Hill asks Alison McKenzie-Folan, deputy chief executive director for customer transformation, about the journey.
‘I don’t buy into the idea that Tech City is taking over’: Tech North’s new leader on autonomy, councils and northern humbleness
What can the body charged with boosting the tech industry in the north of England offer local government? According to its new director Richard Gregory, a lot. Rebecca Hill reports.
Matching vision with investment: How councils can benefit from IoT
Council IT chiefs tell Sooraj Shah that, although the Internet of Things has huge potential for local government, it’s still early days for the technology.
Leeds paves the way to joined-up health and social care across the country
Dylan Roberts, Leeds City Council’s digital chief, tells Gill Hitchcock that other public services could benefit from the local authority’s open source integrated care record programme, Ripple.
Championing gender diversity at the GDS
Not long ago, the team overseeing digital transformation in Whitehall was in need of some significant changes itself. Zara Farrar, leader of the Government Digital Service’s women’s group, tells Rebecca Hill how GDS reinvented its attitude to women.
Road-test: DVSA tech director on how the agency passed its digital MOT
GDS chief: We're trying to shake our ‘arrogant’ image
The Government Digital Service is learning to be more empathetic and humble, according to its chief operating officer Alex Holmes.
Digital inclusion chief calls on government to enforce accessibility laws
AbilityNet’s digital inclusion chief Robin Christopherson wants to see ‘internet wardens’ with powers to fine councils that fail to comply with accessibility law. Gill Hitchcock reports.
Milton Keynes’ wireless journey to stress-free parking
Brian Matthews, Milton Keynes Council’s transport innovation lead, tells Gill Hitchcock how wireless trials and links to an Open University data hub will prevent parking meltdown.
Vision and values in a digital age: An interview with Birmingham City Council chief executive Mark Rogers
Mark Rogers claims to have spent the last 30 years systematically deskilling himself in all tasks except one: leadership. He speaks to Rebecca Hill about ensuring digital is an enabler, not an outcome.
Interview: Digitising land and property searches
Keith Hurst tells Max Goldbart how his team’s award-winning strategy transformed a key element of the Land Registry’s operations.
Councils sidelining information governance teams, says ICO official
Data security incidents in local government rose by 34% at the start of 2016, but John-Pierre Lamb of the Information Commissioner’s Office says some solutions are easy to implement. Gill Hitchcock reports.
Collaboration: an opportunity for councils to cut the waste
Rotherham’s ICT manager Richard Copley wants a local-style GDS, but does he think the new Local Digital Coalition is the answer? Gill Hitchcock reports.
Why the digital standard must be on every council’s agenda
West Berkshire’s digital lead Phil Rumens talks about the task of ensuring the new Local Government Digital Service Standard makes an impact. Gill Hitchcock reports.