Weekly Newsletter - 16.1.2025

Plus: Cheshire East proposes record council tax increase💰

Author

Rafe Houston
January 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Local Government Updates

Welcome to Local Government, your weekly newsletter offering insights and strategies to help UK council leaders innovate, engage, and deliver better public services. Explore the latest local government stories with our map! Each pin highlights the key locations featured in this week’s articles, making it easy to dive into the news that matters most in your area. 🗺️

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TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The UK government’s renewed focus on AI adoption across public services marks a pivotal moment for local authorities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s call for bold, ambitious approaches to AI sets the stage for transformation in critical areas like Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

EHCPs are vital for ensuring children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) get the tailored support they need to thrive.

In 2024 alone, councils drafted over 84,000 EHCPs, while costs and demands continued to rise. The system is stretched—and families are feeling the strain.

That’s where AI can step in.

Our latest report, From Backlogs to Brilliance: How AI is Redefining EHCP Creation, explores how AI is tackling these challenges head-on. Tools like Agilisys Transform's EHCP tool are revolutionizing the process by automating administrative tasks, improving the personalisation of plans, and delivering more consistent results across regions. These innovations save time and money while allowing SEND caseworkers to focus on what matters most: supporting children and their families.

By acting now, local authorities can align with the government’s AI agenda and make a real difference for children with SEND.

AI IN GOVERNEMNT

Governments face a challenge: turning data into actionable insights that improve public services. Too often, there’s a gap between data analysis and its application. Miles Smith, founder of SimpleCause, believes bridging this gap is key. His approach, aligned with Agilisys Transform’s Generative AI-powered EHCP Plus, demonstrates how innovation can empower public sector teams.

Humanising Data for Public Services

💭Static dashboards and dense reports don’t engage users. Smith advocates for intuitive tools and visual insights that empower decision-makers and service teams.

👉 Example: Generative AI transforms backlog statistics into actionable insights, highlighting trends, priority cases, and next steps. This helps SEND caseworkers address delays effectively.

“Smith’s approach resonates with our work at Agilisys Transform. Data should drive better public services. By humanising insights, focusing on strategic outcomes, and leveraging tools like EHCP Plus, councils can deliver meaningful results for their communities.”

Ibby Butt - Head of GTM at Agilisys Transform

Empowering Teams with AI

💭Budget constraints and outdated systems can limit public sector innovation. Generative AI offers a cost-effective solution to automate repetitive tasks.

👉Example: By automating EHCP drafting, caseworkers can focus on direct engagement with families, improving efficiency and service quality.

Ready to transform your council’s data into better outcomes? Discover how EHCP Plus can make a difference.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Essex County Council will raise council tax by 3.75% to cover rising service costs, with emphasis on road maintenance funding. An additional £8m goes to highways, with support from central government. Concerns arise as tax isn't maximised. Fees are increasing. Social care and education remain financial pressures.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Cheshire East Council seeks approval to raise council tax by up to 9.9% to address an £18.3 million funding gap. The proposed hike exceeds the current limit without needing a referendum. Concerns about impacts on low-income families are noted. The final decision is pending February's budget meeting.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES

Surrey council leader Tim Oliver urges central government to write off local authority debts before devolution plans. With debts totalling £5.5bn, Oliver stresses that financial risks must be addressed to ensure sustainable governance. A response from the government is pending. Changes to local elections are also proposed.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET

City of York Council's proposed 2025-26 budget prioritises investment in essential services to address cost pressures, while protecting vulnerable communities. It includes a 4.99% council tax increase, balancing essential service funding with planned savings and income generation to meet a £6.4 million funding gap amidst financial challenges and resident feedback.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Essex County Council has cancelled May elections to focus on council reform, aiming to reduce local authorities and introduce a county mayor by 2026. The decision, driven by potential financial and practical benefits, faces criticism for being undemocratic, with the Liberal Democrats opposing this move.