Tomorrow's Public Services TODAY!

- Socitm 2010 conference programme to tackle key elements of the Coalition programme

Transparency and open data, the Big Society, getting public service users online, shared services - these and other issues close to the Coalition Government's heart will be given thorough treatment in the programme for Socitm's main annual conference taking place in Brighton 10-12 October.

With public sector cuts already beginning to bite, and further, swingeing cuts expected in October's Spending Review, the public service IT leaders represented by Socitm will be encouraged to meet these challenges head on by embracing and facilitating the radical business transformation required by their organisations.

Opening the conference will be controversial former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian (now Lord) Blair. Well known as a driver of change and reform, particularly in the police response to rape and serious sexual assault, Sir Ian will set the tone with thoughts on leadership and change management in times of crisis.

Other plenary speakers include Rob Whiteman (photo, below), Managing Director of Local Government Improvement and Development (formerly IDeA), whose organisation is facing levels of cuts of a similar level to the rest of local government;

Bill McCluggage, the Deputy Government CIO who will tell delegates how implementation of the Government ICT Strategy will support maintenance frontline services in the face of anticipated spending cuts; Tim Rainey, Assistant Chief Executive at Tameside MBC, an authority that has gone further and faster than most in getting customers to use online channels; Jane Frost, (photo, right) Director, Individuals Customer Directorate, HMRC, who brings from the private sector experience of working with, rather than against customer behaviour to increase efficiency in delivery; and UK Digital Champion Martha Lane-Fox, who will be galvanizing support for her Race Online campaign to get everyone of working age online by the end of this Parliament.

Delegates will then have a choice of topics to be further given further, in-depth treatment including:

• Open & linked data - led by Dane Wright, IT Strategy Manager, Brent Council (see speaker profiles below)
• Managing personal data: getting customers to help - led by William Heath, co-founder, Mydex CIC and co-founder, Ctrl-Shift Ltd
• PSN & Janet - led by Dylan Roberts, Chief Officer (ICT) Leeds ICT Services
• Customer access and channel shift - led by the customer services team at Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC
• Models for shared services - led by Geoff Connell, Divisional director, ICT Services, London Borough of Newham and Acting Head of Business Systems London Borough of Havering
• Socitm and professionalism - led by Rose Crozier, Past President, Socitm and Head of Information Services, Belfast City Council
• The G-cloud - led by Chris Chant, Director of Government Cloud Programme, Cabinet Office
• Embracing 'Big Society' - led by William Perrin, founder, Talkaboutlocal

Additional sessions are planned on commissioning the third sector, Total Place and localism, and managed services and there will be a series of sessions on a range of topics led by private sector partners.

According to Socitm President Jos Creese, there has never been a more compelling business rationale for attending Socitm's annual conference: "IT leaders and their teams need new skills, new models of delivery and even a whole new culture. The old 'IT support service' model just won't work any more", he says, writing on the event microsite, www.socitm2010.net. 'Be there and take control... or be controlled by events. The choice is yours'.

Socitm 2010 takes place 10-12 October at the Brighton Hilton Metropole. Full conference packages, including overnight accommodation on 10th & 11th October 2010, all meals and the Gala Dinner are available from £575. Exhibition and sponsorship packages are also available.

Socitm 2010 will also see the presentation of winning projects from this year's IT Excellence Awards, and announcement of the Graham Williamson Challenge, Socitm's Travel Award.

Exhibition and sponsorship

Don't miss opportunities at Socitm 2010

"... a very good event for us" - Imerja Limited

"...a good event with plenty of interest" - IP Performance Limited

These comments from Socitm 2009 exhibitors are typical. Our private sector supporters appreciate the fact that Socitm delegates do take time to visit the exhibition, and that contacts made are with senior decision-makers.

In fact delegates sometimes complain about who isn't there to see. One 2009 delegate wrote on the feedback form: '...I would have liked to see more applications suppliers'.

So, don't delay, our events sell out and the best stands and sponsorships always go first.

Go to http://www.socitm2010.net/exhibition-sponsorship/ for more information and see the exhibition floor plans then contact the exhibitionmanager@socitm.net

Book exhibition stands at https://www.socitm.net/forms/form/32/socitm_2010_exhibition_stand_booking_form

Graham Williamson Challenge

Final call for applications

For anyone new to Socitm, the Graham Williamson Challenge is a travel award that enables a person starting out in information, technology and management to undertake a short (up to a month) period of work experience abroad in order to broaden their understanding and knowledge in a wider public sector context. Host authorities are identified through the links Socitm has with similar professional associations all over the world. On return from their trip GWC winners are expected to produce a report based on their experience and have the opportunity to deliver a short presentation at Socitm meetings and a presentation at the Socitm Annual Conference.

Full details on how to apply can be found on the Socitm web site http://www.socitm.net/info/163/cpd/14/graham_williamson_challenge

The closing date for applications for the 2010 Graham Williamson Challenge is just a few weeks away and submissions should be emailed to gwc@socitm.net to be received no later than 31st August 2010.

The winner will receive the award at this year's Annual Conference.

Ellen Jessett

ellen.jessett@socitm.gov.uk

The 2010 Conference Programme

Sunday 10 October

16:00 Registration

17:30 New delegates welcome session

18:00 President's opening address

18:10 Conference keynote speaker: Sir Ian Blair, Former Commissioner, Metropolitan Police

19:30 Reception

20:15 Dinner and entertainment

Monday 11 October

09:15 Keynote speaker: Keynote speaker: John Barradell, chief executive, Brighton & Hove City Council (tbc)

10:00 Parallel sessions (also at 1200 and 1455).

Delegates may choose from:

Open & linked data

Managing personal data

PSN & Janet

Customer access and channel shift

Models for shared services

Socitm and professionalism

The G-cloud

Embracing 'Big Society'

Commissioning the third sector - speaker tbc

Total Place and localism - speaker tbc

Managed services - speaker tbc

Sessions led by private sector partners

10:45 Coffee and Exhibition

11:25 Presentation: Jane Frost, Director, Individuals Customer Directorate, HMRC

12:00 Parallel sessions: choice of topics as 10:00 session

12:45 Lunch & Exhibition

14:15 Presentation: Rob Whiteman, Managing Director, Local Government Improvement

14:55 Parallel sessions: choice of topics as 10:00 session

15:40 Tea & Exhibition

16:20 Presentation: speaker invited

17:10 Close

19:30 Reception

20:30 Gala dinner & entertainment: After dinner speakers; Ken Livingstone and David Davis MP

Tuesday 12 October

09:15 Keynote speaker: Bill McCluggage, Deputy Government CIO

10:00 Presentation: Tim Rainey, Assistant Chief Executive, Tameside MBC

10:40 Coffee and Exhibition

11:20 Case Study 1 - IT Excellence Awards finalist

11:35 Case Study 2 - IT Excellence Awards finalist

11:50 Case Study 3 - IT Excellence Awards winner

12:05 Graham Williamson Award presentation

12:30 Lunch and Exhibition

14:10 Presentation: Martha Lane-Fox, UK Digital Champion (tbc)

14:55 President's closing remarks

15:00 Tea and Depart

Some of the conference speakers

Dane Wright (Open & linked data) is IT Strategy Manager for the London Borough of Brent. He has spent most of his career in Information Technology in both private and public sectors, involved primarily in systems development and information management. He is responsible for Brent Council's corporate IT strategy and standards, use of web technology and e-Government. He has been closely involved with development of the Council's Intranet and Internet sites including the e-Government Register of product usage by UK local authorities which has now been merged into the Socitm Application Register. His work currently includes the development of Brent's IT and Information Strategies, liaison with partner organisations and promoting the innovative use of IT solutions throughout the organisation.

William Perrin (Embracing 'Big Society' ) is the Founder of Talk About Local a community empowerment project that gives local people skills to create a community website that they own and run. Talk About Local is based on William's experience with www.kingscrossenvironment.com in London's Kings Cross where he was a founder member of his Safer Neighbourhood Panel and is a director of a local youth charity.

If you want a community website, contact William via http://talkaboutlocal.org. Previously, William was a senior civil servant and Policy Advisor and Private Secretary to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

William Heath (Managing personal data) founded Kable Ltd, the public-sector IT research business now part of Guardian News & Media. He chairs the Open Rights Group and is on the advisory council of Foundation for Information Policy Research. He moderates the Ideal Government blog which asks what we want from e-enabled government, and is a fellow of the Young Foundation working on online feedback about public service quality. William is a founder of the Mydex Community Interest Company with Iain Henderson and Alan Mitchell.

Chris Chant (The G-cloud) is director of the Government Cloud Programme, linked within the Government ICT Strategy to other key strands on the Government Application Store and consolidated data centres.

The strands form a programme that will create shared data centres across the public sector, move to an 'infrastructure as a service' model via the G-Cloud, and set up a 'Government Apps Store' to enable sharing of approved applications, application development and other services across the public sector.

Prior to taking up this role he was director of London 2012 Integration and Assurance, responsible for overseeing the delivery of IT capabilities for the London 2012 Games.

Before that, he was CIO at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, where he led a major IT service improvement programme with an outsourcing partner. He has also worked as delivery director at the Cabinet Office, where he was programme director for a range of large and complex multi-agency IT services, including the Government Gateway.

Still time to join ROCITM at Socitm 2010 in Brighton

ROCITM, the Sunday night musical soiree at Socitm Conferences, has achieved critical mass and is back on track having missed only one show in the past 13 years. We already have enough contributors to form a core band and the Conference Committee have also arranged a nice big PA system and a sound engineer.

Any delegates, partners or exhibitors or with a musical or vocal bent are welcome to join their fellow delegates as part of the combo, even if it is for just the odd number or two.

Just a quick reminder of the process:

• known song titles are swapped via e-mail and a set-list is drawn up;
• appropriate combinations of musicians are allocated to sections of the set;
• P.A., microphones, amplification and some instruments are provided;
• there is a quick sound-check;
• folders of song charts are provided (on loan);
• the "set" is performed without the aid of proper rehearsals or a safety net.

Stage time is shared between those participants who play the same instrument. This year we already have two drummers, but if another half dozen appear out of the woodwork, then everyone gets to have a go. This is not impossible; by the way, we had 9 bass players in 2004.

If you are likely to be a delegate or exhibitor at Socitm 2010, and play an instrument or sing, then please consider putting yourself forward and joining the throng. A bit of advance notice is necessary to allow the set lists and personnel changes to be planned. The chances of being accommodated if you volunteer on the night are slim.

Please contact mark.wheatley@socitm.net and copy in david.goddard@socitm.net or feel free to call me on 07985 142 897.

Mark Wheatley

Access to the Updated Applications Register

Free subscriptions for Public Sector and Two Tiered access for the Private Sector

More than a quarter of all councils had updated their data on the newly created Applications Register, just two weeks' after our initial announcement, making 1454 changes to records made during this time. The updated register is created from existing data previously held on LB Brent's eGovernment Register and Socitm's Software Index.

These councils have secured their free access to all the data and helped ensure accurate information is available for other users. During this period, the site has seen a higher than anticipated number of visitors - more than 1200, with 60% of visits to the site being new users. To make your updates, just register at the site and update your data.

If you are a private sector organisation, you can also subscribe to the Register and access its data, but you will need to pay for this. A Tier 1 subscription costs £795.00 + VAT and subscribers may add a company logo to their page. They will have the additional benefit of linking to their website and providing up-to-date contact information for sales enquiries.

A Tier 2 subscription costs £1295.00 + VAT, and as well as Tier one benefits, subscribers get one downloadable case study, or may link to multiple case studies on their corporate website.

More significantly, Tier 2 gives control over the content of the promotional page on the Applications Register, providing an opportunity to promote products, services, and sales success.

If you are interested in taking out a subscription, email applicationsregister@socitm.net.

Message from the President

It's been a busy time over the last quarter - meetings and conferences especially. The visit to see what is happening in Canada (see Martin Ferguson's blog at http://www.socitm.net/blog/socitmblog/post/61) was valuable given the government wants to copy the structural change programme Canada followed in the 1990s. I can say categorically they are not ahead of us and we are in a different place now. But there are useful lessons about structural change which we can apply and use to help our members. It's also interesting that they have "two tier" and it's just not an issue - however, it's no coincidence that they have much greater devolvement from central to local governments.

I've enjoyed the visits to regional meetings I've got to so far - we've had some pretty active debates about what lies ahead! Thanks to you all for your kind reception.

The "Building perfect websites" at Kensington Olympia was one of the busiest events I've attended. You can read my opening speech in the Socitm blog at http://www.socitm.net/blog/socitmblog/post/65 (see report in this issue)

Socitm's Membership services are moving up a notch with forthcoming release of a range of new services already trailed. I discussed these at a recent membership board meeting and also had excellent debate with the NAC group of sector and regional leads. As you know, members and affiliations are my key priorities this year.

Debate at the national and local CIO councils has been dominated by cuts. What is going on in central government now will play out in local government soon, and many members are already involved in hard choices about cuts to IT and services. I've written on this in various magazines and the Socitm blog. You can also follow me on Twitter (@socitmpresident). It's important we keep the dialogues going on this topic - we are all in the same boat and we must row together.

Jos Creese

jos.creese@socitm.net

Socitm web improvement community tops 900!

The end of July saw the 900th member join Socitm's Web Improvement and Usage Community on the IDeA Communities of Practice facility. We have also set up new communities on Local Open Data and one the Website take-up service. The WTS community is open only to employees of subscribing councils. If you are not sure whether your council subscribes, visit the Website take-up service page on the Socitm website.

Members, members, and more members

During 2010, the focus for Membership activities has been on widening and enhancing membership services and providing more opportunities for involvement. Initiatives underway include:

• Implementation of the new membership structure
• Access to mentoring
• Enhanced CPD scheme to support personal and professional progression
• Opportunities for new or continued participation in the Socitm regional networks
• Development of additional professional communities and interest groups

Work to implement Socitm's new membership structure is on schedule. Priority is being given to the needs of current members and from late September onwards, all members will be contacted individually and provided with information on the options. The new membership structure will be launched fully to external applicants from January 2011. As far as possible, anyone joining or re-joining before the end of October 2010 will be included in the priority arrangements.

Full details of the new membership structure can be found on the Socitm website: http://www.socitm.net/downloads/download/327/proposed_new_membership_structure

Web Skills Framework

Professionals involved in web/digital work are a group of growing importance within Socitm's wider constituency. Socitm has recognised this by working with practitioners to develop a web/digital skills framework to reflect the skills and expertise inherent in these roles. This will enable individuals and employers to evaluate and record development against the different skills and levels defined in the framework. It will also give access to the accredited designations and post nominals included in Socitm's new membership structure.

The framework had a very successful "soft launch" at the Building Perfect Council Websites event on 14 July 2010. It is being piloted during the final development phase and a full launch is scheduled for early autumn.

Anyone wanting more information or to register interest should email: ellen.jessett@socitm.gov.uk

Socitm Membership Card

The new Socitm membership card was sent to all members in the latter part of June and has been very well received.

The membership card confirms membership to colleagues and other contacts. It is also a passport to all Regional events and gives access to a wide range of membership benefits.

Anyone who has not yet received their card should contact Socitm's Head Office by emailing enquiries@socitm.net

Socitm Mentoring Scheme

The Socitm mentoring pilot scheme was re launched in autumn 2009 and full details can be found on Socitm's web site http://www.socitm.net/info/163/cpd/16/mentoring_scheme

Feedback from the mentoring relationships in progress has been very encouraging. The pilot scheme is continuing and, as the results have been so positive, more mentoring opportunities will be offered. The current scheme, which is free of charge, concentrates on typically medium-term relationships of around 6 months between competent Mentors and Clients (recipients).

Look out for further information on how to participate as a mentor or mentee in forthcoming Socitm broadcasts.

CPD

Many Socitm members have been actively managing their CPD using the Socitm CPD Scheme launched in 2004. The existing Scheme provides participants with a framework for planning and recording CPD activities and evaluation by Socitm at the end of each CPD year. Socitm is enhancing the CPD scheme to ensure that it reflects the current thinking on needs analysis and outcomes based evaluation. Developments also include access to an on-line system for recording and evaluation.

The on-line system is intended to be in place no later than year-end. In the meantime, members may still use the current CPD record cards to manage their activities and anyone requiring a copy of the existing scheme documentation or certification of 2009 activities should email ellen.jessett@socitm.gov.uk

Ellen Jessett

Building perfect council websites (BPCW) event

14 July, Olympia

BPCW has become probably the biggest annual event for council webbies, and more than 350 delegates attended this fifth annual running of the Socitm Insight/Headstar conference, including significant numbers of web managers from NHS organisations, attending for the first time.

The event started with a context setting speech from Socitm President Jos Creese. I won't attempt to summarise what he said because you can read the full version in his blog on the Socitm website, but it was good to hear him say that an important part of the future will be web self-service, with complete automation from request to fulfilment, and invisible boundaries between public and private service delivery, along with integration of contact centres, customer service strategy and web development.

This opening session was followed by a panel called Social networking - what's the point? Featuring Jane Postlethwaite, Social Media Officer at Brighton & Hove City Council (how many other councils still ban social media - it was about two thirds when Socitm last looked around 9 months ago), Dr James Munro of Patient Opinion, and Nick Booth of Podnosh and Helpmeinvestigate fame.

If the last two speakers undoubtedly raised some anxieties about what its like when council and NHS performance is so publicly held to account (Nick's video of parking enforcement in Birmingham a particular case in point), Jane's presentation showed how one council at least is taking a cool approach to something that also has a massive potential upside. Nick's advice about 5 simple things a council should do to make a website work better for social media is well worth checking out.

Later in the day we heard more about local citizen engagement from Hugh Flouch, who runs the local community site Harringay Online as well as the organisation Networked Neighbourhoods, that is currently researching the impact of London's digital communities. One aspect of the research is the impact of these community sites on councils, and vice versa.

Most of the rest of the day was given over to individual, pre-arranged networking meetings, workshops and roundtables, with delegates spoiled for choice in shaping their own programme.

Slides and other material from the event are available at www.bpcw10.co.uk

Efficiency and secure flexible working

Hampshire case study video on Socitm.tv

Using ICT to support flexible working is a very hot green topic in the current economic climate yet I hear many organisations who say that the Government Connects Code of Connection the so called "Coco" has prevented then from offering remote access and flexible working.

This video looks at how Hampshire County Council has worked with Juniper Networks to implement a secure remote access solution called Hantsnet Passport. The "passport" system has reduced the need for travel and substantially saved on office space by enabling staff to work from home and multiple office locations.

So for those who find the CoCo requirements have prevented such access this might be of interest. It explains that Hampshire use Citrix and an Extranet as part of their passport access system to share information with partners and that they plans to extend access to centrally held information.

Click here to view the video: http://www.socitm.tv/HampshireCC

(Note at the time of writing I was not able to access the video - try going to http://www.socitm.tv as you need to register and log in before you select this item Ed)

Read page 2 of the Socitm Newsletter