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- Weekly Newsletter - 30.1.2025
Weekly Newsletter - 30.1.2025
Plus: UK faces social care timebomb as over-85s population set to double ⏳
Rafe Houston
January 30, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 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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Learn how Essex Police has revolutionised its data strategy and operational efficiency through the implementation of the Analytics for Everyone (A4E) programme, delivered by Agilisys using Microsoft Azure and Power BI. With over 1.8 million residents across 1,420 square miles, Essex Police is one of the UK’s largest non-metropolitan police forces. Faced with the challenge of streamlining complex data management and decision-making processes, Essex Police partnered with Agilisys to embrace a cutting-edge approach to data analytics. |  |
“Our partnership with Agilisys has driven a transformative data culture within Essex Police. With improved access to accurate data, we are making operational policing decisions every day based on strong evidence,”
Explore the remarkable results Essex Police has achieved by leveraging Analytics for Everyone (A4E), powered by Agilisys, to enhance its data capabilities and embed a culture of data-driven decision-making.
Key Highlights:
25 dashboards published, with 18 built by Agilisys, achieving 2,500 daily views.
Implementation of an Azure-based platform, integrating internal and external data for near-instant insights.
Reduced reliance on manual reporting, enabling timely and evidence-based decisions.
Empowered in-house teams with knowledge transfer, training, and tools, paving the way for self-sufficient dashboard development.
Improved data hygiene and accuracy by retiring outdated spreadsheets and reports, saving time for analysts and staff.
Dive into the full case study here 🔗
GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY
Labour's AI strategy highlights essential reforms in public services, crucial for easing strained local councils. AI promises efficiency gains in education and healthcare, addressing systemic issues. To maximise its benefits, pressing matters of data privacy and fostering public-private collaborations must be prioritised to guide ethical and innovative local policymaking. |  |
Hi all, I’m Sarah - a former SEND Caseworker and now a SEND Advisor with Agilisys Transform helping create the next generation of AI tools for improving SEND provision. I was not always involved in SEND, as previously I was an editor of children’s educational books. I developed a passion for children’s learning and development so later re-trained and became a teacher in a special school. Following this, I worked as a SEND Caseworker/EHC Plan Writer for around 12 years. As a teacher and caseworker, my main focus has always been in improving outcomes for children with SEND and their families.
Ensuring children with SEND receive timely support is crucial, yet local authorities face delays due to budget constraints, staff shortages, and rising demand. These challenges make it difficult to meet EHCP deadlines, impacting children’s lives.
Our AI-powered tool, EHCP Plus, transforms the process by reducing drafting time, improving accuracy, and ensuring consistency across local authority templates. By embracing innovation, we can help streamline EHCPs, ease administrative burdens, and ensure children get the support they need—faster and more effectively.
Press here to read more 🔗
COUNCIL FUNDING
Local councils confront up to a 25% rise in council tax across eight areas, driven by severe budget deficits. Exploiting a legal measure, authorities consider exceeding the 4.99% cap, notably impacting Windsor, Maidenhead, Hampshire, North Somerset, and Bradford, signalling urgent re-evaluation of funding strategies and fiscal policies.
SEND PRESSURES
A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a stark warning about the sustainability of the SEND system in England. Without urgent reform, thousands of children risk missing out on the support they need, while nearly half of local authorities face severe financial pressures that could push them to the brink of bankruptcy within the next 15 months. The report highlights widespread challenges, including inconsistent support, rising demand, and an unsustainable funding model that requires immediate attention. |  |
SOCIAL CARE
The UK’s aging population is placing unprecedented strain on the social care system, with experts warning that without urgent reform, services will struggle to meet increasing demand. Recent projections indicate that nearly a quarter of the UK population will be over 65 by 2043, significantly raising the need for long-term care solutions, home support, and healthcare services.
Despite the growing need, chronic underfunding and workforce shortages continue to weaken the sector. Reports show that around 165,000 vacancies exist in adult social care, making it difficult to provide adequate care for those in need. The situation is further exacerbated by rising costs and a fragmented funding system, leaving many elderly individuals unable to access essential support.
Experts are calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the social care system, including increased investment, workforce expansion, and better integration with NHS services to ensure sustainable, high-quality care. With the UK government under pressure to act, the coming years will be crucial in shaping policies that address the realities of an aging society and prevent further strain on families, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
PUBLIC SAFETY INNOVATION
Edinburgh City Council leverages Genetec's cutting-edge hybrid-cloud platform to revolutionise public safety and urban management. Addressing legacy security inefficiencies, this initiative optimises data integration and resource allocation. The system fosters enhanced public safety, anticipating a reduction in court proceedings via increased early guilty pleas, thus yielding profound benefits for residents and governance. |  |
HOMELESSNESS FUNDING
With the Labour government tripling its homelessness funding to £30m, London gains £8m to tackle its rough sleeping crisis. This funding addresses urgent needs posed by severe winter conditions. Given London's leading homelessness rates, decisive and strategic action is imperative to confront the persistent housing challenges. |  |
YOUR FEEDBACK MATTERS 🗳️
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