THOUGHT MAIN STORY LEADERSHIP
restricting new spending – in the next five years, the need for action is clear.
But not all cost-saving measures are created equal. Quick fixes can store up long-term problems, especially when they compromise service delivery or damage public trust. using it. Three strategic principles underpin each of these council success stories:
This automation delivered an immediate boost: application processing times dropped from an average of 15 minutes to under 30 seconds.
The examples above show that well-targeted investment in technology can deliver savings that are both immediate and sustainable. But they also show that these decisions need to be owned and led at a strategic level – embedding Digital Transformation not just within IT or digital teams but across the entire organisation.
That includes choosing platforms that are open, future-proof and flexible – able to scale across departments and adapt to the everchanging policy and citizen landscape.
Because smarter spending isn’ t about slashing budgets. It’ s about making every pound work harder – for staff, for systems and most of all, for the citizens councils serve. �
1. System consolidation: Reducing the number of digital applications and solutions cuts costs and complexity. A unified platform provides clearer oversight, improves data sharing and simplifies staff training. And it’ s also more secure.
2. Process automation: From council tax and business rates to social care applications and permit issuance, repetitive tasks are ideal candidates for automation. This not only saves time but also reduces errors and accelerates service delivery.
3. In-house capability: Low-code tools give operational teams the power to build and adapt services themselves. This builds digital autonomy, reduces reliance on external suppliers and allows councils to respond more quickly to citizen needs and policy changes.
The broader benefits: From cost savings to citizen experience
While financial savings are critical, the benefits of this approach go far beyond the bottom line. Councils adopting these technologies are also improving service quality, reducing failure demand and increasing staff and citizen satisfaction.
This approach encourages teams to focus on real-world impact – how services perform and how residents experience them – not just internal benchmarks or vanity metrics. In local government, this means tracking not just digital adoption rates or process times but how services are experienced by citizens and staff.
Looking ahead: Smarter investment, stronger outcomes
With half of councils( 51 %) warning they are likely to issue a section 114 notice – a formal declaration by a local authority in the UK indicating that it cannot meet its financial obligations, effectively
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