Stockport Council’s use of digital to transform services has earned the authority the ‘2018 Business Transformation Award’ and a Highly Commended 2nd Place in the ‘Digital Council of the Year’ category at the annual Local Government Chronicle – LGC – Awards.
The council took the Business Transformation Award after demonstrating a clear vision for the digital future of the council, significant transformation of service delivery and digital innovation.
Councillor David Sedgwick, Cabinet Member for Reform and Governance at Stockport Council said:
This award is great news for Stockport Council and for the residents. We are transforming our early help services using digital technology to aid triage, improve guidance and referral and resolve issues earlier.
“Our new websites and My Account are giving residents personalised access to council services whenever and wherever it suits them. And at a time when all councils are facing budget cuts, digital services can reduce costs. Dealing with enquiries face to face or by telephone is much more expensive than providing the answers online, so our new online services are saving local taxpayers money.”
The award also recognises that Stockport Council provides support for those who do not have access to digital technology or do not have digital skills. All libraries in Stockport have free computers and Wi-Fi for residents to use. There are also staff on hand to help residents get started. We are one of the Pioneer partners in the Duke of York’s Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award (iDEA) scheme. And we are about to announce the establishment of a collaborative Digital Inclusion Alliance across Stockport.
The 2018 LGC Awards are open to local government in the UK. Launched 22 years ago, they recognise the greatest achievements across local government. They are judged by the biggest figures in local government and remain the ultimate indicator of excellence. The LGC Awards aim to spread innovation across wider audiences, improving local government performance nationwide.
Stockport Council have a programme of investment in digital technologies which will enable many of Stockport Council’s services to be delivered online and build in the capability to meet the future needs of the authority.