Hello Birmingham.Just passing through on my way to Sheffield today.

Still waiting for the announcement of digital ego and digital superego.

Do you notice anything new on this list of teams at the Government Digital Service stand at #DigiGovExpo today?

I'm at @techuk.bsky.social Building the Smarter State event tomorrow. If you're also attending and fancy a chat about anything #localgov #digital related, do please say hello.

This is my final week employed in #localgov, so I wrote a piece about it. philrumens.blogspot.com/2025/08/leav...

It's encouraging to see more service design roles being advertised in #localgov, in recent months. This example is at Westmorland and Furness. recruitment.cumbria.gov.uk/trentl_webre...

This Briefing Room episode on the history and future of ID cards in the UK was a great listen, with the added welcome surprise that Rachel contributed to the discussion.

It looks like existing councils going through local government reorganisation will require written consent from the successor council for any IT contract worth in excess of £100k revenue spend during the lifetime of the contract. www.gov.uk/government/p...

My most prolific chilli plant this year is also one that's been outside since May. Definitely a result of the hot weather this year, and perhaps a sign of things to come.

I just "verified my age" through a service that uses facial age estimation. What checks are in place in these services to stop me falsely verifying my age using a picture I printed out?

"In an era of growing mistrust in public institutions and traditional democratic processes, it is even more important for AI in the public sector to be seen as trustworthy" This report from @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social is a good read. www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/policy-brief...

Interesting to see the GOV.UK App already has a your local services section, albeit just a link to council websites at the moment.

Hi Bluesky. Can anyone give me some insight into ORCATS (Operational Research Computerised Allocation of Tickets to Services), used for real time reservation and revenue sharing on tickets between train operating companies please?

Sometimes when I click the Applause reaction in Teams, I actually mean it as a slow hand clap.

I was delighted to be able to able to give evidence in Parliament today to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's inquiry on the Digital centre of government. I hope I represented #localgov #digital well. You can watch and make your own mind up here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...

Really enjoyed the Are you Listening Festival in Reading yesterday. A huge variety of acts at venues across the town, which were really busy (but not uncomfortably so) even at 4pm.

I'll be giving evidence at a Science, Innovation and Technology Committee inquiry meeting next week. Obviously the questions and discussion will be led by the Committee, but what might you mention in relation to #localgov #digital, if the opportunity arose? committees.parliament.uk/event/24188/...

Could small language models be a big idea for the public sector? Something by me on whether a faster, cheaper form of Gen AI with potentially less environmental impact, might keep the automation of UK public sector tasks, within the UK and the public sector. philrumens.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-bi...

Thunderbolts* isn't multi-layered, deep, or meaningful, but it does do what sci-fi and fantasy can do well; featuring topics or subjects not always covered in blockbuster, mainstream cinema to the fore.

Good luck to all my #localgov colleagues across England who are working today, tonight, and tomorrow on local elections.

This looks like a great event from @local.gov.uk for #localgov #digital colleagues, where they'll be sharing their discovery findings on considerations for cyber, digital, data and technology, as part of Local Government Reorganisation. events.teams.microsoft.com/event/62977d...

Really liked #TheAssembly on ITV last night. I'm not a fan of Danny Dyer but the format is great and I'm looking forward to future episodes with other interviewees.

Hi #localgov colleagues. How many of you are using Ark or Crown data centres to host some or all of your services, and how many of you are even aware that this might be an option please? Do reply in my DMs if you don't want to make your response public.

After some research online and a couple of phone calls I reduced my vehicle breakdown cover and home insurance quotes by £35 and £39 from the same providers for the same cover. Whilst this is great for me, it does worry me that those without the skills or confidence to do this are paying too much.

I found the first episode of Season 7 of Black Mirror hard to watch. I think it's probably because once you work out the premise (services introducing advertising and upping their cost) many follow a formula, so not only are they grim but they're predictable too. Does anyone else find this?

Great win for Newbury RFC against Chichester RFC yesterday to avoid relegation, in the final league match of the season. What brilliant weather too; the contrast of being huddled under the shelter of the clubhouse from the wind and rain just a few weeks ago is amazing.

GDS is hiring a senior content designer to work on the Service Standard and Service Manual. £56,070 - £70,219 Deadline end of Wednesday. www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi... #govdesign

A key enabler in joining up and transforming services, particularly across organisations, is the ability to share data. Open Referral isn't new, but this website promoting the work around adoption of the data standard in the UK is: openreferraluk.org Well done to everyone involved.

Interesting to see this from DSIT in relation to #localgov, in the Use of AI in Government report. “an area where we are particularly keen to move early [ … ] because there is a huge amount of potential there to improve citizens’ lives” Full report here: publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...

21 March was the deadline day for some councils to submit their initial proposals as part of #localgov reorganisation, and I'm delighted we were able to launch a website for a proposed new 'Ridgeway Council' yesterday. You can take take a look at this proposal here: ridgewaycouncil.org

Hi Blueskyers. Does anyone have a link to a summary of all the interim plans for #localgov reorganisation that have been published so far please?

Amazing to see statsarepower.bsky.social, @richardpope.org, @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social and @jo3hill.bsky.social are giving evidence at this session next week. The Committee team have done their homework well and got four of the right people in the room. committees.parliament.uk/event/23761/...

Post your favourite Doctor Who. Wrong Answers Only

An interesting proposal to boost the proportion of #digital roles in the UK Civil Service from 5% to 10%. Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... It's worth noting that the State of Digital Government Review published in January estimated digital roles in #localgov make up around 2% of staff.

Although it was scheduled to be decommissioned in September, Surrey Digital Service's address API actually switched off this week. It was amazingly useful in its time; thanks to the unsung heroes behind the service that saved councils time and money. surreydigitalservices.github.io/sds-addresses/

The first week of spring coincided with the best weather of the year so far. I took the opportunity to dig in compost and manure to my small vegetable patch, ready for some of the seedlings which are already growing.

Movies you've watched more than six times, GIFs only.

This is either an accidental or awful pun. Either way, I like it.

I've been talking about service patterns and design with people from around the public sector recently, partly because this could be key to a wholesale reshaping of the public sector. My thoughts on this are here: www.linkedin.com/pulse/servic...

We've been working with GDS to trial Minute, an AI transcription service that produces customisable summaries and reports. The i.AI team has been amazing and if all new government digital services are developed and delivered this way the future looks good. www.westberks.gov.uk/digital-blog...

If you're involved with #localgov #digital then this event is for you. Meet with Theo Blackwell, who is looking at how the new digital centre might collaborate and innovate with local government to deliver the blueprint for modern digital government. events.teams.microsoft.com/event/73aad7...

It's important that when the public sector uses technology to help implement policy, it's transparent about it, so I was pleased to see @westberkshire.bsky.social record on the ATRS Hub published today. The news release is slightly misleading as it doesn't use AI, it's just a traditional algorithm.

That $500bn investment in Stargate is looking a tad over inflated today, isn't it?

I'm optimistic about the future of digital public services. You can read why here: philrumens.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-...

First chilli plant seedlings of 2025.

Hello #localgov people, and beyond. Are you using Power BI for performance reporting in your organisation? My colleagues are seeking your expertise and experience, and if you're free at 11am on 11th February and can spare an hour, please do let me know.

GDS is back! Actually it never went away, but the Government Digital Service, Centre Digital and Data Office and Incubator for AI from the Cabinet Office, as well as the Geospatial Commission are now to be known as the Government Digital Service. questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...

Interesting to read about plans for a framework for finding and buying AI solutions from the private sector. A G-Cloud for AI could work well. www.gov.uk/government/n... Nice to see Minute get a mention too, something that's being trialled in #localgov as well as Whitehall.

I've seen criticism of digital driving licences saying it's the first step to a #DigitalID, but isn't it really just opening up some the digital information the DVLA already hold, to individuals for their own use? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Thinking of everyone at #ukgc25 today. Hoping it's the start of collaborations on solutions for common issues and problems across the public sector, but most importantly, have fun. If you're attending, do write up your experience and thoughts for those of us who aren't, please.