The right information at the right time, to support these unprecedented times

It has never been so important to provide access to the right information to the right people at the right time - during these unprecedented times. Well managed information provides organisations with integrity and transparency for improved service delivery and supporting vulnerable people in the community.

I have worked for and with Local Authorities for over 26 years now and I am proud of the efforts of all Councils throughout the UK in the way that they have quickly mobilised and adapted their service provision to support their communities.

Digital transformation and access to information from our own homes is the lynchpin which keeps these Council’s services connected and resilient – even when they cannot meet face to face.

I am currently working with Somerset West and Taunton and extremely proud to be helping to deliver their Digital Modernisation Programme. Not only has this innovative local authority delivered business grants at record speed but we have enabled Microsoft TEAMS for home workers – all in within 4 weeks. We have delivered it with compliance and trained everyone on line. The great news is that everyone loves it and it has provided the toolset for online meetings, document shared via desktop screens and conference calling for the COVID Response Team.

But that's not all! We are using this time wisely. We are building new EDRMS in SharePoint online with our third party, fully compliant and embedded with our new Retention and Disposal Rules. Utilising a nationally endorsed model, a brand new Corporate File Plan awaits employees and we are already starting the BIG CLEANSE – from home!

Finally, we have successfully remodelled the Programme Management Office by providing clear simple project and programme sites – all embedded with standard project document templates. Quick and easy to use.

They say that nice things come in small packages and this is one of the most forward thinking innovative local authorities I have worked with. Having delivered this model at Wiltshire, Somerset, Limerick, Bracknell and some NI councils – this the smallest local authority I have worked with.
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The benefits of this is that they are quick to react to change and extremely agile and innovative in their service delivery. Most importantly, they care about their communities. The fact that they are a fantastic team to work with is the icing on the cake.