Graphic image of a futuristic digital office where groups of people are using various devices and platforms to carry out digital, data and technology (DDaT) tasks. Image credit: Central Digital and Data Office
2026 has started with a bang 🎉
I can’t believe the first month is already past us! We finished off our DDaT Senior Management Team restructure at the end of last year and have now filled our two vacant posts – both start next month and I’m very excited to have a full SMT.
We had a huge amount of high quality interest and it was a tough process, so well done to the successful ones! I am sure they will introduce themselves on joining so keep an eye out.
Finding the hidden skills and gaps 🔍
We’ve also kicked off some work on digital skills. Mr Briggs is creating a skills assessment for DDaT using the LGA CDDaT framework. It’s simple for staff to complete and gives us data to assess both gaps and hidden skills within DDaT.
We’re putting the final touches on doing a DPIA but will be rolling this out soon.
Meeting room envy! 🤢
The lovely Ben has been visiting our neighbours and amazing hosts at Milton Keynes Council. We were very jealous of their meeting room setup so have tried to glean as much info as possible to copy! Being based in a listed building does present some challenges, though that we are working with FM colleagues to find a solution for.
Change agents and champions 🏆
The DDaT Change Agents have had a reboot under the hand of the lovely Jo Cumper. Sill focused on driving and embedding the culture change in DDaT, but with a more structured approach through:
- change agent role profiles
- resource planning
- a programme of work
We are also now turning our heads to creating an organisational Digital and Change Champion network – bringing together digital champions with transformation and change champions.
AI Club 🤖
I’ve been having a lot of conversations with Ed Braund from the university – who it is always a pleasure to speak to. We’ve been looking at how we make take the AI Club as a pillar of a regional AI investment zone – including use of civic technology.
If you don’t know about the AI Club, it’s worth taking a look at. We’ve also had conversations about:
- doing a couple of pilots with Bedfordshire Police on the role of AI in tackling knife crime
- what the future of a Smart Council could look like
Watch this space!