04.04.16
Local Digital Coalition launched to replace DCLG programme
Local authorities will receive support in unlocking the benefits of collaborative digital service transformation from a new coalition.
The Local Digital Coalition has been formed to replace the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Local Digital Programme, which closed on 31 March. Coalition partners include Socitm, the Local CIO Council (LCIOC), SOLACE, LocalGov Digital, iNetwork and iStand.
The coalition’s key projects for this year are extending GOV.UK Verify to local authorities, creating common data standards for local waste, and developing a DVLA API (application programme interface) to enable councils to verify registered owners of vehicles for taxi licensing and parking permit services and a blue badge checker.
They are also creating integrated care records for health and social care, as part of a growing drive to make the two services work better together.
Martin Ferguson, director of policy and research at Socitm, and a member of the PSE editorial board, said: “The coalition breaks new ground in collaboration between its partners to drive the shared development and adoption by councils of five digitally transformed, joined-up service designs for the future.”
A starter secretariat for the coalition will be provided by the London Borough of Camden for one year, supporting coalition members to meet regularly between April 2016 and March 2017 to work on activities already defined, develop further plans and secure funding and resources.
The coalition has also published an action plan, which they invited local public sector organisations to endorse.
Socitm, SOLACE, LGA and LCIOC are preparing a 'Digital Leadership Manifesto’ to be launched at the Better Connected Live event in May 2016.