Why digital must be at the heart of Local Government Reform
Liverpool: The host city for the LGA Conference and a fitting backdrop for local government’s journey through reform, collaboration and digital transformation
As the LGA conference in Liverpool approaches it’s clear there’s never a dull moment in Local Government. After navigating years of austerity and the shock of Covid, councils now face another wave of profound change through Local Government Reform (LGR).
Amid this, demand and costs continue to rise, especially across Children’s and Adults services, stretching capacity. Meanwhile, wider changes in health make system level partnership working even more complex. We know that structural reform can sometimes create short term pain: performance dips, costs rise, often before the promised benefits are realised.
At Channel 3, we’re working alongside health and care systems, including in one of the pioneering Integrated Care Organisations in Torbay, to ensure digital isn’t an afterthought but the engine for real transformation. We see huge opportunities for local Government to:
Shift to more preventative models of care and support, helping people stay independent at home for longer and preventing family breakdown
Unlock productivity through streamlined processes, better connected records and reduced administrative burdens
Connect residents to local services more easily, especially those delivered by community and voluntary partners
LGR can be a real platform for this shift to new preventative models of care and support if digital and data are front and centre. Yes, convergence of councils will come with real challenges: inter-operability, joined-up systems, and getting a true picture of local needs. But, done right, it’s a chance to build a clearer, more connected view of demand and cost drivers, and ultimately to deliver better outcomes.
That is why we put digital at the heart of transformation. We’re looking forward to catching up with colleagues in Liverpool to share ideas, swap lessons, and explore what’s possible for the next chapter in local Government.
Written by Leo Jones, Chief Executive, Channel 3 Consulting.