#46: Why Devolution Should Help Build Better Digital Public Services

The Sussex And The City Podcast – Episode #46 Why Devolution Should Help Build Better Digital Public Services Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Will Callaghan – Tech Resort / local government digital consultant   🔍 Episode summary Richard Freeman speaks with Will Callaghan, a public sector digital specialist and volunteer leader at Eastbourne-based Tech Resort, about digital exclusion, local government reform and why being offline now means being locked out of work, benefits, healthcare, education and everyday services. Will explains how Tech Resort supports people who cannot afford devices, data or basic digital confidence, and why demand for this support has grown sharply. The conversation also explores LocalGov Drupal, a Sussex-born civic tech project now used by councils across the UK and Ireland. As Sussex moves towards devolution and local government reorganisation, this episode asks what kind of digital region Sussex wants to become. Not just one with AI strategies and better websites, but one that designs public services around the people most likely to be excluded. --- This episode is brought to you by Advice Cloud.   Public sector procurement can be complex, and right now, with councils reorganising, budgets tightening, and technology decisions that will shape services for years, getting it right has never mattered more.   Advice Cloud are a Sussex-based team of procurement specialists who've helped over 600 organisations win public sector business, with clients typically seeing their bid success rate increase by at least a third. They harness smart technology to stay ahead, but at the heart of everything is a real team who know and understand your business - so whether you're a tech company trying to crack public procurement frameworks, or a public sector buyer trying to make better technology choices, you get real advice from people who genuinely know this world.   Book a free consultation at advice-cloud.co.uk   🎯 In this episode What digital inclusion really means Why digital poverty affects working-age adults as well as older people How lack of phones, data and broadband deepens poverty Why Universal Credit, job applications and health support now depend on digital access How Tech Resort supports people across Eastbourne, Hastings and beyond Why digital inclusion should become a statutory responsibility What devolution could mean for digital strategy in Sussex How local government reorganisation will affect council staff and services Why councils need to stop rebuilding the same digital tools repeatedly How LocalGov Drupal became a Sussex civic tech success story 🧠 Key themes Digital exclusion is not a side issue. It is now central to poverty, employability, health access and public service reform. Technology can save money, but badly designed digital change can also push people further away from help. Devolution gives Sussex a chance to build a proper digital inclusion strategy across the whole region, rather than relying on patchy local provision. Local government reorganisation will place huge pressure on council staff, systems and services. Digital change needs to be humane, not just efficient. Sussex already has serious civic tech expertise. Projects like LocalGov Drupal show how councils can collaborate, share code and avoid wasting public money. The future digital region should not only be about AI, automation and innovation. It should be about access, dignity and public services that work for everyone.   🎧 Production credits Host: Richard Freeman Guest: Will Callaghan Sound design / editing / original music: Chris Thorpe-Tracey Production management: Letitia McConalogue 📣 Get involved 👉 sussexandthecity.info — episodes, resources and events