The landscape of local government in the UK is undergoing a profound transformation, and it needs to if targets are to be met and, in some cases, Councils are to survive. AI, automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) are no longer futuristic concepts; they are actively reshaping how councils deliver services, manage resources, and interact with residents. So, with tightening budgets and rising expectations from the public, local authorities are going to have to increasingly leverage digital tools to create smarter, more efficient and financially viable, and more responsive public services.
The digital shift in Local Government
The headline is that UK councils face immense pressure to do more with less. From managing waste and maintaining roads to delivering social care and housing services, the scope is vast and the stakes are pretty high for some. So in response, many councils have turned to automation and IoT to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance service delivery. Let’s take a look at a few examples…
Automation in action: Saving time and money
North Tyneside Council is a standout example. By deploying Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for routine administrative tasks such as council tax adjustments and Blue Badge applications, the council has freed up over 5,000 staff hours annually. “The bots handle repetitive processes 24/7, enabling our teams to focus on more complex and value-added tasks,” says Helen McIntyre, Head of Digital Transformation at North Tyneside.
Similarly, Essex County Council has automated parts of its adult social care referrals system, using intelligent triage tools to prioritize cases. This has reduced assessment times and contributed to savings estimated at over £2 million per year.
IoT driving smarter cities and services
IoT is playing a crucial role in turning local areas into ‘smart places’. Milton Keynes Council, for instance, uses sensors across its transport and waste systems to monitor traffic flow and bin levels in real-time. This data-driven approach has led to a 20% reduction in unnecessary bin collections and improved traffic signal timing to reduce congestion.
In Bristol, the “Bristol Is Open” project leverages a city-wide IoT testbed to explore innovative solutions in energy usage, air quality, and mobility. “Our IoT platform allows us to make evidence-based decisions that enhance the quality of life for our residents,” says Sarah Williams, Smart City Programme Manager.
Performance gains and resident satisfaction
Technology isn’t just about cutting costs; it’s also enhancing performance and resident satisfaction. Redbridge Council implemented a chatbot to handle common customer queries, reducing call volumes by 25% and improving response times. User satisfaction rates for the virtual assistant stand at over 85%.
In Hackney, smart scheduling for housing repairs has led to a 40% reduction in no-access visits and a significant boost in tenant satisfaction and the work of Opama and her team continues to drive benefits.
So the examples are there, begging the question of why aren’t all Councils adopting these technologies?
Despite the clear benefits of automation and IoT, many councils struggle to implement these technologies due to a mix of financial, technical, and cultural challenges. Smaller authorities often lack the upfront investment needed for digital transformation. “We simply don’t have the budget flexibility of larger councils,” admitted one S151 at a rural district council. Legacy IT systems are another barrier because many councils still rely on outdated platforms that are incompatible with modern tools. “We’ve got 15-year-old systems that don’t talk to each other, so it’s like trying to plug a USB stick into a cassette player,” said a digital lead at a county council.
Additionally, internal resistance to change and limited in-house digital skills slow adoption, but that’s a whole other recruitment related blog post! Without targeted funding and sufficient resources, strong leadership, and cross-sector collaboration, the digital divide between councils may continue to grow.
What’s next?
For those with the funding however, it is exciting to explore how technologies like AI-driven predictive analytics, autonomous vehicles for waste collection, and digital twins for urban planning could revolutionise service delivery.
For example, Manchester City Council is piloting digital twin technology to simulate the impact of urban development projects before they are built, allowing for better planning and community engagement.
Another promising area is AI in social care. Predictive tools could identify individuals at risk of crisis, enabling early intervention and reducing long-term care costs.
Reform, devolution, and technology.
Local government reform and devolution are providing both opportunities and challenges for technological adoption. With greater autonomy, devolved administrations and combined authorities can drive bespoke digital strategies tailored to local needs.
However, uneven funding and capacity gaps may exacerbate digital inequalities. National support and cross-council collaboration will be essential to ensure all communities benefit from these innovations, with organisations such as LOTI doing amazing things, but alas only in London so far.
Final thought
The integration of automation and IoT into local government is not just about doing things differently, it’s about doing them better for everyone. From cost savings and efficiency gains to improved citizen experiences, the benefits are clear. And as reform and devolution reshape the local government landscape, embracing technology will be key to building resilient, adaptive, and citizen-centric councils of the future in a sustainable way.
I am thrilled to be working with Local Government, because it stands at the cusp of a digital revolution, and the smartest councils are already leading the way. But the rest can only follow if the money and skills are there, because without those, it won’t just be a case of not embracing the new, but not even being able to hold on to the old.