Local CIO Council

In 2008, the Local CIO Council was formed, in order to support and challenge the broader Government CIO agenda, and to discuss other issues and priorities relevant to local public services transformation.

In 2012, it was felt that merging the LCIO Council with the Socitm Futures group would now better place the Council to serve the local government community. The new structure covers all geographic areas of the country, along with differing sizes of Local Authority, and other public sector bodies such as Education, Police etc.

A revised Terms of Reference has been drawn up in order to reflect the new structure and basis on which the Council will meet and work.

The purpose of LCIOC is:

• To provide vision and leadership in all aspects concerning the development of policy, strategy and initiatives concerning information, technology and management for ICT enabled local public services reform - current focus is on commissioning delivery of Planting the Flag.
• To provide regular briefings for Socitm regional meetings and the membership, keeping them informed and helping them understand the implications of current and future policy developments for them and their organisations.
• To advise the Socitm Board of Directors (the Board) and other advisory groups on policy, research and strategic direction.
• To maintain strong links with the National CIO Council by cross-council representation, agreed with the Government CIO, early involvement of LCIOC in national policy/strategy and alignment of programmes - both delivery and challenge.
• To strengthen the breadth and reach of the LCIOC and Socitm's activities and the credibility and influence of CIOs engaged in local public services delivery.
• To work with and support the activities of the Cabinet Office, other Government Departments and the devolved administrations, providing a local perspective and challenge.
• To provide a two-way communications route between local and central government and the third sector.
• To identify and influence national groups and programmes which reflect priorities of local public services ICT, including the Local Government Delivery Council.
• To support ICT-enabled local public services collaboration and partnership working.
• To support the development of ICT professionalism programmes for local government.
• To work collaboratively to remove barriers in effectively exploiting technology to increase service quality and improve service efficiency.
• To influence the development of ICT infrastructure and service standards to accelerate the joining-up of public services at a local level.
• To influence ICT suppliers in order to identify opportunities for new and innovative methods of engaging with the private sector.
• To develop a work programme with clear outcome and performance measures to be reviewed each year as a publicly available report.

The LCIOC is an independent group supported by Socitm.