Content
Editorial
Pickles confirms plan to change electronic agenda rules
The government has confirmed that it is planning to legislate to allow councillors to be sent agendas for council meetings electronically.
Features
Data delays, mice mix-ups and septuagenarian software skills – eight things we learned at PublicTechnology Live
As PublicTechnology gathered its audience for our annual summit, senior digital leaders from across the public sector discussed their priorities and challenges, and some of the more unexpected aspects of their work
‘DWP is moving away from seeing someone as a benefit recipient – and asking how we can respond to their circumstances’
Before appearing at PublicTechnology Live next week, digital delivery director Helen Roberts tells us about the department’s priorities – and why the term ‘digital transformation’ has never been a good fit
“We never use the word ‘digital’” – inside the Welsh public sector's design doctrine
Ahead of speaking at PublicTechnology Live, Jo Goodwin discusses how the Centre for Digital Public Services is encouraging a focus on users across the public sector
Interview
In it for the long-run: Why Luton council signed a 10-year ICT deal
Luton Borough Council chose to renew its IT contract rather than go with a new provider. The council’s technology lead tells Gill Hitchcock how it shifted to an outcomes-based approach – and why a flexible 10-year contract can still be a good deal.
‘The skill set for any CIO is the same’: Socitm president Geoff Connell on moving from borough to county
Geoff Connell took up his role of CIO at Norfolk County Council in August last year. Rebecca Hill asks him how he found the change from the London Borough of Newham, and finds out what’s on his to-do list.
News
NHS digital check-ups for over 40s scheduled to launch next year
Process is intended to help prevent a range of illnesses and conditions
GDS taps online recruitment specialist in £50k deal
Digital unit signs one-year contract for platform to match software developers with employers
Scottish parliamentarians ‘strongly advised’ to ditch TikTok
MSPs are issued with advice following consultation with National Cyber Security Centre
Opinion
How CDDO is working to make government services great
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
ICO: Instead of massive fines, regulation works best when we work alongside organisations
Information commissioner John Edwards discusses the impact of the watchdog’s new approach to working with the public sector – which focuses on improvements, rather than penalties
Trust is required in data and the organisations that hold it
Assuring data, and investing in the infrastructure that supports it, is crucially important, including to Sir Nigel Shadbolt of the Open Data Institute