Bradford Council looks to chatbots

Written by Sam Trendall on 1 July 2020 in News
News

Authority considers deployment of technology to reduce use of phone and face to face support

Bradford Metropolitan District Council is exploring the possibilities of equipping its website with a chatbot to deal with citizens’ enquiries.

The authority has launched a pre-procurement exercise and is looking to hear from potential suppliers, who are asked to submit an expression of interest. Bradford will then gather interested firms – most likely via videoconferencing – and invite them to take part in a question-and-answer session, and also to conduct a demo of their technology.

The goal of this exercise is to “establish the current options available of suitable solutions”.

The authority ultimately hopes to identify a technology that could both improve service levels and save money.

“Bradford Metropolitan District Council would like to look at opportunities to install a chatbot on our website, to enable residents to find the answers to their questions on our website more easily,” it said. “We would like to reduce the need for the customer to telephone our contact centre or visit council offices. The council would like to increase efficiency and make costs savings whilst ensure customer service experience does not suffer.”

Suppliers have until 15 July to express their interest. Once this engagement phase is complete, the “council will decide whether to proceed to a full procurement exercise”. If and when it does so, it indicated a budget of up to £30,000 for the work.

 

Share this page

Tags

Categories

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM READERS

Please login to post a comment or register for a free account.

Related Articles

How CDDO is working to make government services great
14 March 2023

In this piece for PublicTechnology, head of strategy and standards Ben Tate provides an update on the digital unit's work to transform the most important citizen services

‘Intense scrutiny’ - Croydon’s tech chief on making the case for digital in tough times
3 March 2023

Opama Khan tells delegates that focus must be on outcomes and benefits, rather than the technology itself

DWP plans to enable UC claims by prisoners nearing release
28 February 2023

Department reveals tests are taking place in 15 institutions

Government breaks ground on Manchester hub to boost plans for north-west ‘cyber corridor’
28 February 2023

Hundreds of anti-fraud officials have been moved to Manchester as government talks up technological potential of region

Related Sponsored Articles

Digital transformation – a guide for local government
6 March 2023

Digital transformation will play a key role in the future of local government. David Bemrose, Head of Account Strategy for Local Government at Crown Commercial Service (CCS), introduces a new...