THIS WEEK’S RADAR🎯

• Community Support: Emergency funding for essentials like food and housing now open—but lower than last year

• Funding Reform: Calls to restore Revenue Support Grant to deliver visible improvements and regain public trust

• Finance Crisis: Conrad Hall urges urgent local government funding reform to avert deeper fiscal instability

• Devolution Debate: Hampshire and Isle of Wight reorganisation plan sparks backlash over debt and rural neglect

• Election Gaffe: Reform mayor’s vow to axe diversity officers falls flat—none exist in Lincolnshire

• Digital Gaps: Nearly half of central services still offline as digital transformation faces exclusion risks

AI EDUCATION

🤖 Free AI workshops for your council​

Are you a local authority or school interested in exploring AI solutions but do not know where to start? ​

Agilisys are offering a suite of AI workshops for interested councils and schools all focused on bringing Generative AI to SEND, Children’s Services and Adult Social Care. ​This past week, they were at Wigan Council leading AI workshops for over 100 council staff on ways to safely and securely integrate AI into their council operations. ​

​Whether you are starting your AI journey or looking for ways to expand – have a look at the Agilisys website for the services and solutions they offer and feel free to fill out the form on the website mentioning your interest in a free AI workshop for your council or reach out to [email protected] ​

POLITICAL DISRUPTION

Reform UK Secures Majority Control Of Derbyshire County Council In Landmark Vote

Reform UK has secured a decisive majority on Derbyshire County Council, displacing both Conservative and Labour leaders, with the Conservatives losing 33 seats and Labour 11. Voter discontent with national politics drove the shift, marked as a protest vote. The outcome signals volatility and challenges for all mainstream parties.

POVERTY ALLEVIATION FUNDING

Bolton Council Awarded £4.9m Grant To Tackle Rising Living Costs

Bolton Council has been allocated £4.9 million from the government’s Household Support Fund to help residents facing heightened living costs, with the grant supporting essentials like food, heating, and emergency housing. Funding is reduced from last year, raising concerns about rising demand. Immediate application is advised for those struggling.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING

Restoring Council Funding Is Crucial For Visible Community Improvement And Public Trust

Restoring the Revenue Support Grant is argued as essential for councils to provide visible improvements in local services, addressing voter dissatisfaction with deteriorating community infrastructure. The call is especially timely with upcoming elections, as rapid, tangible changes could sway public perception. Without adequate funding, national recovery remains incomplete and out of touch with everyday realities.

PUBLIC FINANCE CRISIS

Local Authority Funding Crisis Demands Urgent Solutions and Practical Financial Reform

Conrad Hall addresses the escalating crisis in local authority funding, asserting that central-local tensions are a primary cause of financial distress for councils. He argues for urgent reforms to ensure sustainable funding for essential public services. Local government professionals must act now to avoid further fiscal instability.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Council Leaders Clash Over Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Devolution And Reorganisation Plans

Plans to reorganise Hampshire and Isle of Wight into a combined authority with an elected mayor face starkly divided opinions, amid concerns over increased bureaucracy, financial instability, and rural marginalisation. Council leaders warn that rushed decisions could leave new authorities burdened with debt and insufficient support for social care. Immediate, transparent consultation and fiscal clarity are critical to avoid undermining local governance.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Reform Mayor’s Pledge To Sack Diversity Officers Misfires Due To Non-Existence

Reform mayor Andrea Jenkyns’s pledge to sack diversity officers in Lincolnshire has been undermined by confirmation that the county council employs none. This exposes a lack of due diligence and raises concerns about the party’s grasp of local government realities. The controversy is especially relevant for public sector employees facing potential job cuts and for voters scrutinising the credibility of Reform’s cost-saving agendas.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Government Digital Transformation Faces Outdated Services, Skill Gaps, and Digital Exclusion

Government digital transformation promises greater efficiency and accessibility but is hindered by outdated services, financial constraints, and organisational resistance, with 47% of central government offerings not yet digitised. Risks such as digital exclusion and environmental strain demand immediate attention. A robust scrutiny framework aims to ensure digital initiatives remain inclusive and effective.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS 🗳️