Data
Centre launched to fend off council cyber attacks
A Security Operations Centre (SOC) has been established in Wales aiming to ward off cyber attacks.
The time for answers
Last week, The Times used Oflog data to produce league tables, realising local government’s fears over the new watchdog. Local Government Association chair Shaun Davies details his concerns.
EXCLUSIVE: Killian lobbied to halt work with watchdog
Sector figures have been lobbied to withdraw engagement and co-operation with the local government watchdog after a national newspaper used its data to rank councils, The MJ understands.
Councils pay £1m in data breach compensation
More than £1m has been paid out by 39 councils in compensation for data breaches in the past three years.
Blunt instrument doesn’t show the whole picture
Heather Jameson says the league tables ministers wanted to avoid are here to stay. 'They will just need to get better at providing a fuller picture.'
The NHS is the top concern for voters
What the latest IPSOS data shows is that the mayoral model can work in terms of public recognition – even if real power remains firmly rooted in Westminster, according to Ben Page.
Dashboard compares healthy life expectancy across councils
A data tool to compare healthy life expectancy across all councils in England has been launched by The Health Foundation.
Councils should get traffic light grading, say accountants
Oflog should grade councils using a traffic-light-style ranking system, chartered accountants have suggested.
Oflog co-design promises have been broken, say councils
Ministerial promises to ‘co-design’ the Office for Local Government (Oflog) with the sector have been broken, councils have claimed.
Deployment of AI technologies must be guided by a robust framework
The local government sector knows the best ways to serve local communities and is best placed to integrate new technology to deliver wider benefits, says Cllr Shaun Davies.
Governing the local AI revolution
A nuanced approach to governance is needed to successfully navigate the challenge of integrating AI within local authorities, say Amardeep Gill and Jonathan Werran.
Adult services will reap the benefits of data
A pioneering initiative funded through the apprenticeship levy is aimed at fostering a community of adult social care data analysts, poised to shape best practices, says Sam Villis.
Oflog should consolidate financial results monthly, say accountants
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should consolidate the financial results and position of local authorities on a monthly basis, accountants have suggested.
CIPFA pleads for Oflog costs to be kept down
It is ‘unrealistic’ to think the Office for Local Government (Oflog) will not pile fresh resource pressures on councils, finance experts have warned.
Call for Whitehall homelessness strategy after rough sleeping spike
London Councils has called for a cross-departmental strategy to reduce homelessness after Government data showed a 30% rise in rough sleeping in a year.
Lack of AI policies could have 'catastrophic consequences'
More than three out of four UK councils do not have usage policies for artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, according to data obtained using the Freedom of Information Act.
Risk/reward – the AI lessons
The responsible integration of powerful AI foundation models into local government will require a process of continual learning and iteration, says Elliot Jones.
Don’t fall for all the hype behind AI
Natalie Cramp talks to Ann McGauran about some of the opportunities, risks and challenges emerging from the use of data and AI in local government.
Oflog data explorer to cover all main sector services by mid-2025
The Office for Local Government’s data explorer will cover all the main services offered by the sector by the middle of next year, the watchdog has pledged.
Chiefs back ethnicity pay gap reporting
Council chiefs have backed proposals that would place a duty on local authorities to collect data and report on staffing, pay and outcomes by ethnicity.