Title

SOCITM has unveiled a new initiative aimed at driving better use of technology across the public sector. Dermott Calpin reports New and better use of technology can help drive public sector reform across the whole range of local services, according to SOCITM's latest strategy initiative entitled ‘Planting the flag.' Launched at the organisation's spring conference at the Royal College of Surgeons in London this week, the strategy has been developed by SOCITM's Futures group and aims to provide a perspective on local public service reform through developments in ICT infrastructure, increased service sharing, improvement in information management and the direct digital delivery of services to customers. It is envisaged as ‘a call to arms' on the role of IT, and aims to provide a guide on key issues for chief councillors, chief executives and senior managers across the whole range of public service organisations including the private sector. A follow-up initiative entitled ‘Planning the route' will develop more detailed action plans with case studies, guidance and advice on benchmarking. Outgoing president, Jos Creese, has says the financial challenges facing councils have opened up new opportunities for IT generally, and have increased the profile of SOCITM in addressing key issues such as shared services, public service efficiency, the role of public sector in economic growth and the empowerment of citizens. In his final report on his year in office, Mr Cleese who is head of IT at Hampshire CC and chair of the Local CIO Council, said: ‘I have tried to use the role to ensure that IT professionals in the public sector are better understood and better represented, especially in local public services planning and policy. ‘This includes persuading key decision-makers across the public sector to engage more openly and actively with their IT professional teams. ‘IT must be seen as a centre of innovation, an agent of change, and a differentiator of exceptional public service and efficiency – not just as a support service, a utility or a back-office function, often as too risky,' he stressed. One of the major themes in Planting the flag is the need to escape a one-size-fits-all approach to public service reform balancing national standards and policies with the need to take greater account of local circumstances – demographics, previous investment and geography. SOCITM's strategy aims to cover local authorities, emergency services, health, education and other civil society organisations and says that it can build on the success of councils in developing cost-effective and innovative use of ICT by improving economies of scale and scope.

Title

The reform challenge

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING