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Planting the Flag is moving into a new phase as we work with our members through our regional network and with key partners to plan routes to ICT-enabled public services reform to suit different local contexts.

The Local CIO Council has agreed the provision (FOC) of a Programme Office capability by Deloitte.  Our Policy Director, Martin Ferguson, is acting as Programme Manager and, will be supported by a number of principal owners, drawn largely from Local CIO Council and Socitm Futures, who will oversee the 12 capabilities and ICT issues identified in Planting the Flag and also all sectors (emergency services, transport, third sector, etc.) and regions.

A marketing communications plan is in preparation by our new Marketing Manager, Bekki Griffiths and engagement with key partners (other professional groups, national and local bodies) is underway to maximise the reach, impact and contribution for this next phase.  Various forms of enablement, incuding Socitm Insight guides, Consulting and Benchmarking services are under development and, regional workshops have already begun, the first in Socitm East. Endorsements continue to be received in support of this initiative and its execution much anticipated ... including the following staff briefing from Ryedale DC's chief executive;

With technology improving at an increasing rate, the opportunity to drive innovation and change while saving money has never been greater. So it is timely that the launch of Planting the flag: a strategy for ICT-enabled local public services reform at the Socitm Spring Conference.  Our very own Mick Phythian help drafted this document.

The strategy envisages a future in which there will need to be unprecedented levels of collaboration between local authorities, emergency services, health, education and civil society organisations, leading to radical redesign of local public service delivery.

The strategy document, deliberately labelled 'Planting the flag', sets an overarching, national vision for local public service reform. It will be followed by a second phase, 'Planning the route', that will involve developing more detailed plans for how this vision can be delivered at the local level by involving cross-sectoral collaboration.

I will be working with Management Team on this and how we can transform our communications with other public bodies."

In the current climate, our resources are limited. However, by adpoting a 'crowdsourcing' approach, we aim to weave and navigate routes to reform, using the pooled talents, knowledge and capabilities of our members, their organisations and partners in a way that chimes with the growing shift towards 'Localism'.

Be sure to keep an eye out further announcements about this strategy and also the opportunity to participate in workshops in your region.

We welcome your comments and should be emailed to Martin.Ferguson@socitm.gov.uk.

Martin Ferguson
Policy Director
Socitm