Programme

The programme is currently under development and if you are interested in contributing to it, please contact Jenny Vyas at Jenny.Vyas@emap.com

The event will feature panel sessions covering:

  • Defining what good digital government looks like
  • Beyond LGR and transformation: starting from zero
  • Invest to save: ensuring strategic IT and digital investment for sustainable outcomes
  • Procurement to enable transformation
  • Guardrails for generative AI in government
  • Looking ahead - emerging opportunities & future trends

The programme will also showcase practical case studies focused on:

  • Data foundations & decision-making
  • AI & automation applied to real services

09:15 - 09:45

Registration

09:45

Chair’s Opening Remarks: Kirsty Weakley, Head of Content/News Editor, Local Government Chronicle

09:50

Opening keynote: Defining what good digital government looks like

  • Digital inclusion strategy at scale (devices, connectivity, skills; social-tariff identification and awareness)
  • Data-sharing enablers/standards (council–NHS–DWP; timeliness and lawful basis clarity

Together stage

10:20

Panel Discussion: Beyond Transformation: Starting from Zero

Breaking free: Using reform as an opportunity for fresh thinking

  • LGR & operating models: from platform consolidation to service redesign; managing skills crunch.
  • System-wide collaboration across devolved areas: growing your own model, digital standards
  • Advantages and disadvantages of different platforms

Martin Reeves, Chief Executive, Oxfordshire CC
Karen Bradford, Chief Executive, South Kesteven DC
Jonathan Stephenson, Chief Executive, Brentwood BC and Rochford DC
Phil Beaumont, Principal Consultant, Oracle


Together stage

11:00

Morning refreshments and networking break

11:30 - 12:15

Panel Discussion: Invest to save: ensuring strategic IT & digital investment for sustainable outcomes

Invest to save: deliver better services at lower cost by targeting digital investment where it drives efficiency and public value

Simplifying systems: cut legacy systems and duplication to improve integration and service delivery

Cyber security as resilience: Safeguard critical services, citizens' data and organisational trust against growing threats 

Strategic partnerships: collaborate with suppliers to accelerate transformation, share risk and maximise impact within constrained budgets

Digital leadership Stage

Case Studies: Data foundations & decision-making

Platforms, data lakes, and shared models enabling insight, prevention and reuse (Snowflake; city data lake; ERP insight ambitions).

Patrick Melia , Chief Executive, Sunderland City Council

Single view of the child - getting the right data, to the right people, at the right time, in the right way to support safeguarding our most vulnerable children

Gareth Newell, Director for Strategy, Partnerships and Transformation, Cardiff Council

Digital innovation Stage

Interactive round tables working on service design challenges and innovative solutions

Session summary and outcomes

Service design workshop zone

12:15 - 12:35

Case study

Digital leadership Stage

Case study

Digital innovation Stage

Networking zone

Service design workshop zone

12:35

Lunch and networking break

13:35 - 14:15

Panel Discussion: Procurement to enable transformation

This session unpacks how procurement can be a strategic lever for long-term transformation. What questions to ask, distinguishing substance from sales theatre and demand genuine evidence.

Making procurement choices that shape future operating models, not just systems. We will learn how buying decisions must support a coherent, long-term digital direction while building strategic partnerships with suppliers who can support transformation and deliver measurable outcomes.

Luke Newcombe , Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, TechUK

Chris Wales, Director of Digital Innovation, Brighton & Hove City Council

Emma Toms , Digital Business Partner, Essex CC

Harold Talbot-Tomlinson , Procurement Lead, South Derbyshire DC

Digital leadership Stage

Case studies: AI & automation applied to real services

Empowering People, Enhancing Services – Lancashire's Gen AI Journey

Amisha Chauhan, Digital Innovation Manager, Lancashire County Council

Driving AI transformation at Derby City Council

Lauren Mabb, Digital Development Manager, and Lucy Daly, Digital Development Anaylst, Derby City Council

Digital innovation Stage

Interactive round tables working on service design challenges and innovative solutions

Session summary and outcomes

Service design workshop zone

14:15 - 14:35

Case study

Digital leadership Stage

Case study

Digital innovation Stage

Networking zone

Service design workshop zone

14:35

Networking break

15:00

Panel discussion: Guardrails for generative AI in government

What legal, ethical and assurance frameworks does local government need to put in place?

What are the risks of legal challenges to the use of AI in council services?

Aneeka Muneer, President of LLG and Head of Litigation/Deputy Monitoring Officer, Calderdale MBC

Annie Radcliffe, Adviser (Digital) - Cyber, Digital & Technology, Local Government Association

Yasmine Hajji , Senior Research Analyst, Socitm

Together stage

15:40

Closing keynote: Looking ahead - emerging opportunities & future trends

This keynote will give delegates a clear view of practical insight into the opportunities, technologies and partnership models that will be needed over the next three years to enable local government to navigate change and deliver the next generation of public services.

Eddie Copeland, Director, LOTI

Together stage

16:10

Chair’s Closing Remarks:  Kirsty Weakley, Head of Content/News Editor, Local Government Chronicle

Together stage