SEE YOU IN 2025! 🎉

As 2024 wraps up, thank you for being part of our journey this year. This is our final newsletter of the year, but rest assured, we’ll be back in 2025 with more insights and strategies to keep you ahead of the curve with local government news. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a great New Year!

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES

Welsh Councils Face Financial Crisis Despite Government Funding Boost

Welsh councils face a precarious financial future despite a £253m budget increase from the Welsh government, which falls short of the £559m needed to address rising costs and demand. Council leaders, like Dave Hughes of Flintshire, warn of potential bankruptcy, with many authorities in similar straits. The funding formula, criticised by Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru, disproportionately benefits Newport and Cardiff, leaving others like Monmouthshire and Powys with minimal increases.

The Welsh Local Government Association highlights a significant funding gap, exacerbated by increased social care and school costs. The funding formula, based on population and tax-raising ability, has been called into question, with calls for a funding floor to protect underfunded councils. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford acknowledges the challenges, suggesting further support discussions.

The financial strain is compounded by the uncertainty surrounding national insurance contributions, with councils potentially shouldering increased costs. The Welsh government budget, requiring opposition support, includes £1.5bn for public services, yet concerns remain over childcare provision. Drakeford expresses willingness to negotiate further funding for childcare, aiming to extend benefits to more two-year-olds. The situation demands urgent attention to prevent service cuts and tax hikes, as councils navigate these financial challenges.

What We’re Building Towards

In 2025, the real win isn’t just faster processes or better systems—it’s time. Time for social workers to focus on people, time for families to feel heard and supported, and time for councils to plan for the future with confidence.

If I can touch on the more personal side of the work we do, I have been blown away by the developments in government technology over the past year. It seems only a couple of months ago, we were discovering the transformative power of ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models and now we are using artificial intelligence to enhance government functions directly improving citizen outcomes.

While I understand the apprehension that surrounds artificial intelligence, and I agree that in no way should it replace the human touch that is needed in government services, for better citizen outcomes we must utilise AI. For too long, the public sector trails behind our counterparts in the private sector in taking up transformative technology, systems and processes – but no longer. By building a team of genuine experts interested in Gen AI, like we are here at Agilisys Transform – we are taking local governments on a journey for Gen AI excellence and we are looking forward to what the future brings!

Here’s to a future where care is smarter, kinder, and—dare we say it—a little bit easier for everyone involved. Cheers to 2025!

👉 Keep up with Agilisys Transform on their website or on LinkedIn.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES

Cheshire East Council Seeks Urgent Government Financial Support Amid Crisis

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Council Name Change Postponed Amidst Uncertainty Over Government Devolution Plans

Tewkesbury Borough Council name change to North Gloucestershire Borough Council is delayed until March. The delay is due to uncertainty over a government White Paper on devolution, which may affect local government structures. The council will reassess plans once the White Paper is released.

ADULT SOCIAL CARE TECHNOLOGY

Adult Social Care has always been the backbone of community support, but in 2025, it’s getting a helping hand—through smarter processes and innovative tools like QuickAction, which has been transforming the way councils handle their workflows.

• Turning Paperwork into Progress

Needs assessments are no longer an uphill battle. QuickAction has been a game-changer, automatically generating first drafts of assessments and giving social workers a running start. Instead of spending time on repetitive tasks, they can focus on tailoring plans to residents’ unique needs. It’s like handing them the baton halfway through the race—they’re faster, more efficient, and less exhausted by the finish line.

• Time for What Really Matters

In 2025, QuickAction ensures they can spend more time with residents, having meaningful conversations and delivering impactful care. And yes, maybe even squeezing in that hot drink between visits.

• Human Empowerment, Not Replacement

The fear with technology is always that it’ll replace people. But here’s the truth: QuickAction doesn’t replace anyone. It simply lightens the load. Social workers remain the heart of adult social care; QuickAction just helps them focus on being brilliant at what they do best.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Devolution White Paper to Empower Local Communities and Drive Economic Growth

The English Devolution White Paper marks a pivotal shift in governance, aiming to decentralise power from Whitehall to local communities. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, seeks to empower regional authorities, particularly mayors, to drive economic growth and improve living standards. The Plan for Change underscores the urgency of this transition, promising to place politics in the service of the populace, enhancing stability and investment.

The White Paper proposes significant reforms, including granting mayors new powers over strategic planning, housing, transport, and skills development. These measures are designed to foster economic growth and ensure that local leaders, who possess intimate knowledge of their regions, can effectively guide development. The initiative aims to embed devolution as a default governmental stance, moving away from ad-hoc ministerial decisions.

The anticipated reforms will establish strategic authorities across England, uniting councils to streamline governance and amplify regional voices. This approach is expected to eliminate redundancy and enhance the efficacy of local governance. The commitment to devolution is evident in previously approved deals in regions such as Greater Lincolnshire and Lancashire, setting a precedent for future agreements.

GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY

How Do You Turn a Crisis of Resources into an Opportunity for Transformation?

The public sector faces rising demand, budget cuts, and inefficiencies—but these challenges are a chance for transformation. Embracing technology, especially AI, can turn constraints into opportunities, reducing administrative burdens and enabling staff to focus on impactful work.

From automating Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs) to streamlining workflows, AI demonstrates how innovation can enhance existing systems without costly overhauls. Gradual modernization and cross-department collaboration are key to driving effective change.

By leveraging AI, the public sector can create efficient, citizen-focused services. Discover how these strategies can turn today’s challenges into lasting improvements.

YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS 🗳️