Su’s first post

First things first. About me. I’m known as Su (Suchiter was a very difficult name for some to pronounce in my early career), and as of 2^nd April will have completed 35 years of Local Government service – all at Luton Council. In that time, I have had 9 different roles, 28 years of ‘blissful’ married life, 2 children, moved home 3 times and am now a dog mum – a regular mum but cooler. If you asked my husband and children what I do at the council their answer would be the same as the dog…’what’s for dinner’.

My current role at Luton is the Technology Contracts and Performance Manager within the Digital Data and Technology Service (DDaT).

In September 2024 we completed a major task of insourcing our IT provision. This involved the novation of 53 third-party contracts into Luton, the TuPe of resources – resulting in the creation the DDaT service.

I lead a team that underpins and support the DDaT function by providing day to day administrative services together with:

• Managing, monitoring and establishing licensing positions
• Understanding requirements and obtaining quotes for IT services, hardware and software, including supporting with tendering for IT services
• The overall administration and management of supplier contracts.  We have established a clear view for all the IT contracts across the council.  We have developed a roadmap to ensure that strategic thinking and procurement activities align, ensuring that we are always reviewing, questioning and being comfortable that any decisions are timely and aligned to best values and the Council 2040 vision.
• Ensuring close and constant alignment to our Corporate Procurement and Corporate Finance teams.
• Encouraging our suppliers to understand and fulfil social value commitments.  We have created a DDaT specific Social Value toolkit for suppliers, as a guide to how and what they can deliver.
• Acting as critical friends and resolution thinkers – advising and guiding.

Across the team, the skills are multitude, and multitasking is our major day to day achievement.

So, I decided to do a day in the life of (I chose a Wednesday):

7:00am

Started the day with a drive to the station to drop off the children at their adult jobs. Come back home to make Sourdough bread.)

8.30 am

A casual individual check-in with the team and prepare / focus for the day. 

9.00 am

‘Stand up’ with Senior Management Team (SMT). This is always a useful session to ensure we are aligned, and is proving a good sounding board

10.30 am

Attended the initial meeting of the newly formed Technology Steering Group. This board has been established to provides advisory oversight of the Council’s technology offering and the continuous transformation and improvement of the Digital Data and Technology function. This included a proposal to introduce an Architectural Design Authority (ADA) which will ensure that technology introduced into Luton is assessed for compatibility within the council’s current and future architecture.

Both interesting, forward-looking proposals which will help create an innovative DDaT function.

1.30 pm

I attended a Webinar – Covering ‘What will Government’s ‘relationship reset’ mean for local councils’ digital ambitions. Speakers were from Public Technology, Civica, Birmingham City Council and Brent, and Tech UK.

The focus was on a view of what central Government’s intended ‘reset’ of its relationship with local councils look like, and how they can best support authorities in getting the most out of technology.

Considerations were around how and can local authorities innovate in the face of huge financial constraints, and how external experts can collaboration effectively. There were also discussions around how progress is measured and achieved.

My overall assessment was that whilst AI needs to be considered and understood, including assessments of the ‘art of the possible’, investment is needed in the foundations first – legacy systems and data accuracy. I also found interesting a discussion around a ‘mobile first’ delivery, this is an interesting topic as we move towards a more digital comfortable population.

3.00 pm

A regular discussion with our Corporate Finance partners. This relationship has really established itself through our close working and collaborative approach.

Currently, we are discussing the development of forecasting and recharging model for our DDaT contracts, enabling a consistent and accurate approach.

6.00 pm

Finish for the day with a hot yoga class and reflection time, (basically tat TV)

So, I often get asked:

Wow, you have been at one place for so long?  Yes, I have.  I have worn very many hats (all branded of course).

Do you like your job?  Every day is a school day in this world. 

Would you not want to work in the private sector?  Never say never, but I feel honestly privileged and proud to play the small part I do at Luton Council.

What would you say about Luton?  Luton is my place.  Where I was born and bred.  You can take the girl out of Luton but can’t take Luton out of the girl.

Can you find out why my bin hasn’t been collected? I’ll get back to you on that.