The English Devolution White Paper outlines a significant shift in governance, aiming to decentralise power and improve local decision-making. The latest Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) feedback emphasises the need for councils to refine their proposals with stronger data and evidence, stating:
“Our central message to councils through our feedback was to encourage them to build on their initial work with support from government to ensure that their final proposals fully address the assessment criteria and are supported by data and evidence.”
Local government reorganisation: summary of feedback on interim plans – GOV.UK
In recent months, itelligent-i has discussed LGR data analysis and requirements with MHCLG and the LGA, articulating the possibilities and options for local government to complete this analysis in the best possible way.
Executing this properly is not simple, and it must begin quickly given the short timelines. Feedback from our customers suggests that, to date, requests for data from incumbent teams have been ‘light touch.’ However, the Government’s feedback makes it clear this is going to change, which will challenge resource availability and timeliness in compiling complex Adults, Children’s, SEND, and Finance data—a considerable undertaking.
itelligent-i has been engaging with both new and existing customers to provide an approach that delivers critical insights into services, activities, and costs—essential elements for evidencing plans. This requires analysing foundational data across all local government needs to provide the following information:
- Which residents and families are currently supported, and where will support be provided in the future?
- What are the costs of supporting these residents and families, and how will these costs be allocated moving forward?
- What resources and activities are needed to support these residents and families?
With itelligent-i’s data solutions and accelerators, services, related activities, and costs are extracted automatically and formatted into easy to understand insights from core case management and finance systems. itelligent-i has successfully delivered these solutions for multiple customers.
Importantly, itelligent-i’s solutions are automated, meaning once deployed, the data and insight is updated daily, eliminating delays and ensuring insights are presented in a usable format at all organisational levels.
New legal entities will be equipped from day one to monitor and understand activity and costs, ensuring they maximise the intent of Devolution and build a fit-for-purpose organisation, founded on facts and data-driven decision-making from the outset.
