Local authorities should see themselves as strategists

To conduct a digitising project effectively, the local authority must progressively and iteratively adapt its own systems and internal capacity, raise awareness, mobilise resources and scale initiatives. Access to relevant information for staff as well as training is crucial, to make sure they have the right skills to be able to implement potential solutions and are both willing and prepared to adopt new practices. Indeed, a digital transition calls for multiple new practices, including new ways of working, procuring, collaborating with external parties and inviting participation from a broad range of stakeholders, on repeat.

Local authorities should also be the stewards of data. Each local authority must have a clear strategy for the sharing of digital data. Making contextualised data widely available can help to generate new services. However, the extent to which data is shared openly, including with external parties, will be a fundamental question of any digital transformation.

Finally, local authorities must be strategists, by taking account of those who may lose out from the digital transformation. They must address problems or concerns that may arise from the incorporation of digital into their activities. In this, local authorities should be accountable to their citizens.