Swindon: how a ‘traditional’ council is playing digital catch-up
Ensuring vulnerable people are not excluded is central to Swindon council’s digital access drive. Gill Hitchcock reports.
Why the NHS needs to ‘take the lead’ on sharing data with the private sector
A study from Reform finds a haphazard patchwork of data-sharing being led at a local level. The...
MoJ digital chief: ‘Prisons have been bypassed by the digital revolution – that is our next really big challenge’
Tom Read, CDIO at the Ministry of Justice, talks to PublicTechnology about how he...
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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.
Is data protection regulation one more step towards a digital single market?
MEP and former European commissioner Viviane Reding talks data protection and why economics trumps feminism.
Outgoing Socitm president Nadira Hussain: “The value of a diverse workforce is clear, but the perception remains that tech is about geeky men in darkened rooms in front of screens”
Nadira Hussain says local government IT can achieve better outcomes by using the analytical, negotiating and project management skills of women. Gill Hitchcock reports.
Interview: Warwickshire county council’s Tonino Ciuffini on the flexibility of cloud
Warwickshire county council’s head of information assets tells Gill Hitchcock that cloud technologies offer local authorities a range of benefits provided they do their groundwork
Government Digital Service - moving past digital?
GDS has been a game-changer for the UK. But Joshua Chambers asks whether the big fish will survive without finding fresh feeding grounds
Adur and Worthing’s journey to ‘government as a platform’
Adur and Worthing councils’ digital lead Paul Brewer explains how a low code platform is enabling him to create efficient systems which span business functions. Gill Hitchcock reports
Four tips on using digital effectively within government by former Barack Obama adviser
The internet has given anyone with access to a computer and web connection a platform to share their skills, interests, and views with the world – and for the world to return the favour. But government is not...