How technology, is preparing LAs for the challenges it will face. Part 2.

I sat down with IT leaders from the local government supply chain, Robin Denton – Microsoft - Director of their Local Government division; and Derek Wise - Chief Product and Technology Officer at Civica.A thank you to Fintan Hastings for facilitating this conversation and Robin and Derek for their authentic and honest views on the sector. Today's topic was: "how technology is transforming local government, how it can tackle some of the big challenges ahead."Our conversation was orientated around four key sections:In Part 1 we explored:Looking at the art of the possibleSometimes the solution for LG leaders is simpler than it might seem, such as leveraging existing technologies at their disposal (data, smartphones etc)Democratisation of digitalisationAs local authorities become more digitised, it’s vital that no citizens or communities are left behind or excludedHow can LG leaders harness the wealth of data they already hold to make sure this doesn’t happen?Could data sharing (across public services) be part of the solution here?In part 2, we explored:Getting to why?Rather than just looking to technology as the solution to different problems, we need to keep drilling down to the ‘why’?What are LA leaders trying to achieve: ease financial pressures? Support vulnerable people? Tackle inequality? How can technology be the enabler of those goals?Is the solution procuring new tech, or making smarter use of the tech they already have?Social valueThis is an increasingly important topic for LG leadersHow can digital technologies help make SV ambitions a reality? How can LG leaders make smarter use of the data they already hold to deliver real social value?