Spotted in the magazine rack of a supermarket.

Claude and I have been busy over the past couple of weeks building a #localgov technology spend dashboard. It still needs a bit of work, but you can see an early version here and comments are very welcome: architect.rumens.uk/contracts/su...

Imagine a platform that allows people across the public sector to offer small amounts of time to share their skills with council officers. I did, and I built a prototype here: architect.rumens.uk/match/share....

Local Government Skills Exchange

A little help makes a lot of difference. Share your skills across the public sector on an informal pro-bono basis. Anyone with a gov.uk email address can join.

architect.rumens.uk

I started making a thing to show how elements of a #localgov technology stack could be joined and added a few connections to it. Have a play and let me know what you think. architect.rumens.uk/lgam_editor_...

We published a new version of the #localgov Architecture Model today, which now includes all levels in a council's tech stack. It's still only a high-level overview, and the next stage is to build out some of the layers under Business Areas. architecture.cddo.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/gds-local/

Good luck to everyone in #localgov officiating elections across Britain today. It can be a long few days, but without your efforts our system of democracy wouldn't function.

I'm trying to recall the most management BS line I've used in a meeting, and I think I've settled on... "if you want people to think you're a magician, sometimes you have to pull a rabbit out a hat" What's yours?

I've updated my graph following this week's Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) announcement. It shows for some areas LGR is going to be even more complex than first thought, with not just counties, but many districts being split up to form new unitary councils. graphcommons.com/graphs/d6b35...

Spotted this on the Elizabeth Line today. To opt out, you need to turn Wi-Fi on your device off.

Interesting to read in this @local.gov.uk report that #localgov IT/Digital departments are most likely to lead on digital inclusion. Is this the right place in your view? www.local.gov.uk/publications...

Digital Communities Survey September – October 2025

In September to October 2025, the Local Government Association sent an online survey to all English local councils. This survey gathered insights into local authorities’ approaches to digital inclusio...

local.gov.uk

Despite there being a National Proof of Age Standards Scheme, each of these providers seem to have a different application process, ranging from printing off a PDF, to being able verify existing ID digitally. www.pass-scheme.org.uk/card-supplie...

Come join @rumens.uk and me at GDS Local as our Senior Delivery Manager. Closing date: 9 Feb Location: Bristol, London, Manchester. Help us bridge central and local gov digital to create seamless experiences for users. www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cg...

The Roadmap for Modern Digital Government has a commitment that GDS works with #localgov to co-create a vision including shared products and components of a technology stack. If this is of interest to you what are your thoughts? roadmap-for-modern-digital-government.campaign.gov.uk/join-up-serv...

Joining up public services through stronger local and central government collaboration

GDS Local is driving collaboration between central and local government to build faster, user-centred digital services.

roadmap-for-modern-digital-government.campaign.gov.uk

Wish I could be at #ukgc26 today. If you are, do post and blog about it, to share the innovation and collaboration across the internet.

There are many Christmas songs but very few Easter songs. Why is that?

For the past 11 years I've been keeping an index of posts about #localGDS / #GDSLocal. I've just added the first for 2025, which is probably most significant. "People across UK to benefit from easier access to local services as councils get digital boost" github.com/LocalGovDigi... #localgov

Local GDS

Contribute to LocalGovDigital/localgovdigital.github.io development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Hello Leeds, it's been a while.

I wrote something about a sourcing a #localgov tech stack. technology.blog.gov.uk/2025/11/07/s...

Sourcing the stack for local government technology

The blueprint is a bold vision for the public sector, and delivering it for councils starts by understanding the ingredients of a local government technology stack.

technology.blog.gov.uk

This week: ▶️ Went to Taunton to talk with officers at Somerset Council. ▶️ Presented at the Technical Design Council; spoke about the pressures on councils and some of the positive things happening with technology. ▶️ Took part in a GOV.UK App workshop for #localgov.

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...

Leaving local government

It’s often been fun, occasionally frustrating, always fulfilling, but this is my final week employed in local government. There are few type...

philrumens.blogspot.com

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.

Rachel Coldicutt@rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · last yr.

Listening to @jonagar.bsky.social bring this great thread to life www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... with the telling remark that ID cards are often mooted in response to the moral panic of the day. I pop up in the 2nd half talking @carefultrouble.bsky.social's research into public opinion on digital ID

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...

Financial decisions before local government reorganisation

gov.uk

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...

Licence to build

Public attitudes to public sector AI

adalovelaceinstitute.org