Policy & Campaigns

Socitm is a 'policy-driven' professional association, starting with a clear vision of the role of the Society and its members in enabling three key areas of public services development:

• Information - better information management
• Innovation - in public services design
• Improvement - in public service outcomes

The policy drive will determine priorities and work programmes across the full range of the Society's activities, including events, advice and guidance to members, consulting services, collaborations with other organisations, and in our efforts to influence policies and their implementation wherever they affect local public services.

Having a clear policy stance will support development of our relationships and influence with bodies, such as the Local Government Association, Improvement and Development Agency, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, Audit Commission and a broad range of central government departments,  including the Cabinet Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government, equivalent bodies in the devolved administrations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and their relevant initiatives.

As a result of the Society's recent merger with CITRA (Charity IT Resource Alliance), the scope of Socitm's policy work will extend within and across the 'third' sector. Other areas of membership growth will further extend the Socitm's policy reach, which will be enriched also by exploiting Socitm's international links to draw on good practice in other countries.

The policy and campaigns work is led by our Head of Policy - Martin Ferguson.
He is assisted in this role by our Head of Information Assurance - Mark Brett.
The Head of Policy manages Socitm Futures' work programme as the main policy setting body for Socitm.