David Laidler

Here at the Socitm North West meeting in Manchester. David Tweddle will be talking about Lancashire County Council’s fantastic transformation journey with the Liberty Platform - kudos to Sharon De Vall and Peter Lloyd 🔥 And we’re also sharing how we can help local authorities get quick and cost-effective results from the use of AI. There’s a lot of noise around AI at the minute and lots of grand claims. We prefer to focus on delivering real, tangible and sustainable results. #AI #localgovernment #localgov #digital #automation #customerexperience

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🏛️ Reducing costs and enhancing service delivery in the public sector In a world where public sector organisations are asked to do more with less, Walsall Council found a way to save £6 million, boost efficiency, and improve citizen services through digitisation. ✔️ £6 million cost avoidance over 10 years ✔️ FOI and SAR requests completed in seconds instead of days ✔️ Two buildings repurposed, cutting real estate expenses Once digitised, the files were uploaded to our InSight platform, leveraging AI and ML to quickly transform documents into actionable insights that drive informed decisions. Learn more http://spr.ly/6046a3UcC

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Although I didn’t see the Panorama programme I have to say that if just one life lost, it’s one too many. Upon reading the original post, on reflection, I feel that National Highways appear to have defended their position well; especially when they’re trying to address safety concerns by installing more essentially required refuge areas. Notwithstanding that with hindsight, these should’ve been properly installed when first commissioning the smart mororways. Let’s not forget two important things: 1). Recommissioning hard shoulders would seriously increase congestion for everyone. 2). Although a contentious comment, and a difficult thing to hear for anyone directly affected by loss. How many of these tragic KSI statistics happened more as a result of poor driving standards (not necessarily by the victims) than poorly designed infrastructure. Finally, there should be no mistaking where the root cause should lay. That for decades, if successive governments had invested properly in our strategic road network and built better infrastructure, there would be no need to have these arguments about smart motorways today.

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Graham Feek, Deputy Chief Executive of Greenwood Academies Trust, discusses working with ANS and Microsoft on Low Code solutions to improve efficiency and reduce costs across 37 academies. #lowcode #microsoft #powerplatform #ans

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At BT N&S LB, we understand the challenges Norfolk and Suffolk based businesses face in maintaining seamless connectivity. We provide leading hybrid network and cloud solutions, tailored to meet your business needs, ensuring rapid, flexible, and secure access to key information. What is Hybrid Network and Access? Modern wide area networks (WAN) now span beyond traditional connectivity, integrating internet services, security measures, and cloud infrastructures. With us, connectivity isn’t just about linking sites; it’s about enhancing how you engage with customers. Why Choose us? - Proactive Support: Our expertise enables us to prevent issues before they arise, ensuring continuous operational excellence. - Proven Industry Partnerships: Direct connectivity with all major public cloud and SaaS providers enhances comprehensive networking solutions. - Decades of Experience: We deliver networking solutions designed for multinational corporations, tailored for regional needs. - Customisable Choices: Flexibility and customisation are at the heart of our services, tailored to fit your unique business needs. - Local Team with Local Knowledge: Our locally based team offers insights and services customised for our regional business landscape. With BT N&S LB's hybrid network and access solutions, you’re not just staying connected—you're staying ahead. Discover how our strategic solutions can accelerate your business growth. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e3BHVSMu Get in touch! 📞 01603 789 898 📧 [email protected] #Networking #DigitalTransformation #HybridNetwork #BT #NSLB #BusinessGrowth #Norfolk #Suffolk

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🏛️ Reducing costs and enhancing service delivery in the public sector In a world where public sector organisations are asked to do more with less, Walsall Council found a way to save £6 million, boost efficiency, and improve citizen services through digitisation. ✔️ £6 million cost avoidance over 10 years ✔️ FOI and SAR requests completed in seconds instead of days ✔️ Two buildings repurposed, cutting real estate expenses Once digitised, the files were uploaded to our InSight platform, leveraging AI and ML to quickly transform documents into actionable insights that drive informed decisions. Learn more http://spr.ly/6048v0DUu

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TravHELL ✈️ 🚆 🚌 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎 Anyone else get caught in the horrendous travel situation a week or so ago? A couple of good pals and I did. Total. *bleep*ing. Disaster 💆🏻‍♂️ On the way to Krakow 🇵🇱 we were met with delayed and then cancelled trains. Mini buses full of luggage. Stansted airport security chaos. And bare footed sprints to departure gates with a minute to spare. On the way home we had delayed and then cancelled flights. Wrong bookings. Ryan Air luggage disputes. Passports in luggage holds. Train cancellations. Train delays. And paralytically drunk passengers (not us!). [It took me 14 hours door to door to get home 😅 ] Now, I’m not here to moan. First world problems, right? I’m here to reflect. It made me think about being in the midst of a crisis or tough situation in professional life. In particular, what’s important when crisis strikes… My reflections : 😌CALM IN THE CHAOS People who can be calm and rational in a crisis or chaos are incredibly VALUABLE (I’ll be honest - this was not me for a lot of both journeys!). [people who are too calm are frustrating as hell Euan Casserly 😂] 🧭 PLANNING Before launching into action it is critical that we assess the problem and decide as a team the best course of action. Without this, chaos can quickly escalate (it did!). 💡 AGILE DECISION MAKING Making A decision quickly that advances your position is better than trying to make the perfect decision but doing it slowly (the perfect option may disappear before you’ve decided to act! - this happened so many times in 14 hours) 🗣️ COMMUNICATION & DELEGATION Everyone needs to know what their individual jobs are and must communicate progress and necessary changes clearly and as quickly as possible to the rest of the team. 😊 PERSPECTIVE The world isn’t going to end. Your family and friends will still love you. And there’s always a way to fix it (even if it’s scrap it and start again!). 💪🏻 RESILIENCE You have to be able to roll with the punches. You’ve taken one and you might have to take a couple more before you can give one back. Important to just keep trying to advance and eventually you’ll get there (or home in this case 🏠). In summary, I won’t be travelling to Europe in July any time soon! But I will take onboard (pun intended) some of these reflections for next time I’m in a crisis - personal or professional. Any more I should consider? #travel #chaos #reflection

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Fantastic to read how our bid writing services have helped this organisation secure over £1m of business! Our experience of public sector tenders from a buyer and supplier perspective means we are uniquely positioned to deliver maximum value to both buying organisations and suppliers looking to grow business! #proactis #tenders #sourcing #supplychain

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The key to reaping long term benefits of automation in government is to begin by examining processes, then find the right technology solution, writes Mike Stewart, head of digital practice at ArvatoConnect. https://lnkd.in/eh_QN7_u #govtech

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It was interesting and good to meet and talk with Stephen Payne of Vista this week. Vista are the leading sight loss charity in Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council Amongst other things we discussed #PublicTransport and buses, agreeing upon the importance of truly accessible audio and visual information and how this means offering #Inclusive options for obtaining information where and when required. Naturally, this led into the ‘React Trigger System’ and how it delivers accessible choices to users for obtaining at-bus-stop audio (and visual information). The unique ability of the React system’s ‘personal app and fob’ approaches in delivering automatic proximity triggered audio from at-bus-stop displays is a clear advantage for people with a visual impairment. Part of my takeaway from speaking with Stephen is the validation of the need to promote and achieve wider awareness of solutions that achieve accessible information provision (in the bus sector and beyond) and establishing a legally required standard, as opposed to guidance that in practise is often not implemented. Stephen’s takeaway is an understanding and appreciation of the React system and its benefit, particularly for people with #Sightloss: “I’ve seen and learnt how the React trigger system works and provides three choices for inclusive ‘talking bus stop displays’, with options designed to meet the needs and requirements of all users. Audio is an important communication for many people that cannot access visual information. A manual audio push-button is not always accessible for everyone and this then creates underlying access barriers. The automatic audio choices with the React app and fob enhance the #Accessibility of audio provision, particularly for people with sight loss”. Stephen Payne (Director of Care and Services & Designated Safeguarding Lead at Vista) 16/06/24. https://lnkd.in/dSV_Z_YU RTIG

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People strategy in schools, how important is it to you? It has to be your top priority, how else will you understand and drive your people priorities. Michelle Gabriel has worked as a HR Director in a large multi academy trust so has the knowledge and expertise to support you and your schools in developing a people strategy that works for you. Book on, you won’t be disappointed #capitaentrust #peoplestrategy #people

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Microsoft Power Platform Week Webinar - Unlock the Power Platform at Scale! Join Emma-Claire Shaw, Power Platform Lead at Defra Group (UK Central Government), as she shares how they transformed digital efficiency for 37,000 users! 🗓️ When: Tuesday, 28th January, 2pm CET 💡 What You’ll Learn: ✅ Building robust governance for Power Platform ✅ Managing adoption challenges ✅ Key insights from scaling Power Apps & Automate Don’t miss this session packed with real-world strategies! 🎯 👉 Register now: https://lnkd.in/edHtpWEZ #PowerPlatform #Governance #Automation #DigitalTransformation

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Not a protocol or device issue in sight.

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🏛️ Reducing costs and enhancing service delivery in the public sector In a world where public sector organisations are asked to do more with less, Walsall Council found a way to save £6 million, boost efficiency, and improve citizen services through digitisation. ✔️ £6 million cost avoidance over 10 years ✔️ FOI and SAR requests completed in seconds instead of days ✔️ Two buildings repurposed, cutting real estate expenses Once digitised, the files were uploaded to our InSight platform, leveraging AI and ML to quickly transform documents into actionable insights that drive informed decisions. Learn more http://spr.ly/6048vh1ww

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🏛️ Reducing costs and enhancing service delivery in the public sector In a world where public sector organisations are asked to do more with less, Walsall Council found a way to save £6 million, boost efficiency, and improve citizen services through digitisation. ✔️ £6 million cost avoidance over 10 years ✔️ FOI and SAR requests completed in seconds instead of days ✔️ Two buildings repurposed, cutting real estate expenses Once digitised, the files were uploaded to our InSight platform, leveraging AI and ML to quickly transform documents into actionable insights that drive informed decisions. Learn more http://spr.ly/6041v7caU

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From stronger security to smoother operations, we’ve got Cardiff & Vale Credit Union covered with our expert IT solutions. 💡💻 Read how we helped in our case study: https://lnkd.in/esq5nK6d #BusinessIT #TechSupport #CaseStudy

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At last night’s Full Council meeting, Ipswich Labour Councillors stepped up to the plate and voted for £23 million in savings, necessary due to the Conservatives’ brutal austerity policies since 2010. Over £109 million has been slashed from Ipswich Borough Council’s funding thanks to their recklessness. These cuts aren’t just abstract numbers; they represent the decimation of services our residents rely on. But what was the Ipswich Conservatives' contribution to last night’s discussion? Nothing of substance at all! They voted against the savings without offering a single alternative plan. The Tories love to moan like armchair keyboard warriors, but when it comes to actually doing the job they were elected for (providing real solutions) they're nowhere to be found. The Liberal Democrats? As usual, they abstained, sitting on the fence rather than taking responsibility. Then, just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, Conservative leader Ian Fisher was in favour for Councillor pay rises, which was recommended by Ipswich’s Independent Remuneration Panel made up of independent community representatives. If the pay rise was approved (again no motion put forward by the Conservatives), it would have meant a total increase of £38,806 from October until the end of the financial year, and an additional £77,612 for the 2025/26 financial year, a total of £445,679 for Councillors’ allowances in 2025/26! While Ipswich is facing service cuts and financial hardship caused by his own party’s decade of austerity, he wants to line his own pockets. The hypocrisy is staggering, and quite frankly, disgusting. Labour Councillors, including myself, were not in favour of a pay rise. Sure, our annual allowances are very low, but that’s not why we’re here. We’re here to serve the people of Ipswich, not to feather our own nests. Maybe Mr Fisher and the Ipswich Conservatives should try that for once... real leadership! And remember this, he was in favour of a pay rise while the new Labour government has inherited the worst public finance deficit since World War II, a gaping £22 billion black hole due to the reckless mismanagement of the Conservative government. Labour has been forced to make and take difficult decisions, including reforming the Winter Fuel Allowance, something no Labour MP or Councillor really wanted to do, but it was and is necessary because the Conservatives have left this country in financial tatters, yet the Leader of the Ipswich Conservatives, Mr Ian Fisher, wants a pay rise!

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