Millions could be saved through digital innovation, says LGA

The Local Government Association (LGA) has highlighted that increased digital innovation has the potential to save millions while improving services.

An interim evaluation of 13 pilot schemes as part of the Digital Experts Programme has found that using mobile technology to collect, review and update case information for adult social care visits cut staff travel time and saved an estimated £2 million across Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith & Fulham

The pilots were designed to enable more councils to use digital tools and approaches. Another example was the use of the MyStaffsApp, which offers access to a range of services provided by both county and district councils. Staffordshire County Council reported that the app had been used in almost 40,000 sessions and estimated that savings would be £22,500 if only a fifth of these avoided a call.

Additionally, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council invested in live web chat, which it estimates has saved around £7,000 by enabling users to shift from more expensive contact channels.

David Simmonds, chairman of the LGA's Improvement and Innovation Board, said: "There is a lot of excellent working going on in councils to develop and implement innovative digital ways of providing services.

"The Digital Experts Programme gives a helping hand to those councils who are keen to draw on the learning of their peers and quickly implement what has worked well elsewhere, and the results make interesting reading.

"It is great to see councils learning from each other and adopting the digital tools which have already been developed. We want to support the sector to share these assets more effectively so there will be bigger benefits for more councils."