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
Digital minister: ‘I’m one up from a Luddite – but I am grasping this enthusiastically’
PublicTechnology met with the recently appointed Heather Wheeler, who reveals that overcoming difficulties with tech has been ‘an absolute joy’ – although she still appears to have some challenges with unfortunate remarks
Great expectations: Government unveils new digital and data strategy
A new three-year plan sets out ambitious objectives for departments’ use of tech, including a commitment to improve scores of the biggest citizen services. PublicTechnology gets the lowdown from civil service chief operating officer Alex Chisholm.
Technology vs ideology: what will define the future of government work?
A recent PublicTechology webinar discussion saw an expert panel examine the major issues that will shape how civil servants work for years to come
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 Covid app update expands symptom checklist and softens guidance for English users
Latest version of software removes suggestion users may have coronavirus and countdown clock – except for Welsh users, who are still told to isolated and get tested
‘Drones are of great interest to the Army – as both a threat and an opportunity’
Minister claims that military is keeping tabs on potential battlefield uses of unmanned aerial technologies
Highways agency adds ex-Facebook bigwig to boardroom line-up
Social network’s former regional leader Diego Oliva appointed to non-executive post
Opinion
Is the UK ready for the future of compute?
The government’s upcoming review should consider ways to increase the country’s computing capacity, believes Laura Foster of techUK
Social value: public sector must demand more – and tech suppliers need to deliver
SMEs and other providers should embrace the new mandates for IT firms to demonstrate social value, according to Alex Jackson of dxw
The time is now for private network adoption
New forms of infrastructure can help improve public services, according to Sophie James of techUK