Local Councils lead the way

Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council will jointly receive £750,000 to deliver a range of digital and cyber transformation pilot projects over the next six months for the benefit of their residents.

Only eight councils from more than 70 applicants, from across the country, were successful in securing the funding, and the money will be used to help deliver some exciting new pilot projects to help improve how services are delivered.

Broadland District Councillor Jonathan Emsell said:

“It is great news that we have been chosen to take part in the government’s scheme. Our Councils set out clear examples of how our strengths are relevant to the pilot. We were honest about the challenges we face and we outlined potential routes to overcoming those challenges that could be explored through this pilot.”

South Norfolk Councillor Lisa Neal said:

“This is another fantastic example of our two Councils leading from the front. The work we do as part of this scheme will be shared with other councils across the country, so our leaning will benefit everybody.”

Councils involved in the Future Councils pilot will be given £750,000 to help address the three common challenges the ministry has identified through its work with councils across England.

These are:

• how to make change happen
• how to stay ahead with digital and cyber improvements across a whole organisation
• how to reform the big, critical services to help benefit residents

The pilot projects will work to make these changes across the organisation, and help councils understand what further support is need to make this change happen.

Councils that are part of Future Councils will be expected to share learning openly and make it freely available to enable other councils to benefit. The pilot will run for six months, and there will be further opportunity for other local authorities to join Future Councils later in 2023.