The IRRV Annual Conference 2026 once again brought together local government professionals, industry partners and innovators from across the sector in Telford. With this year's theme, Stronger Together: Collaboration for Better Public Services, the event provided the perfect backdrop for conversations about how councils are transforming services through technology, innovation and shared learning.
The recent announcement that local government reorganisation (LGR) is paused can feel like another step backwards as the futures of councils are, yet again, up in the air.
But… Does it have to be?
Sunshine, smiles, and great food could only mean one thing: it was time for Govtech's annual summer BBQ 2026. Returning to Ingleside House in Cirencester, the team, along with some of our Netcall colleagues, enjoyed a fantastic afternoon catching up, celebrating successes, and making more great memories together away from the day-to-day demands of work.
There was a time when automation in local government was viewed as a future ambition – a useful enhancement that could improve efficiency if budgets and priorities allowed. Fast forward five years, and the conversation has completely changed.
Today, automation is no longer considered a luxury. It has become an essential part of the team.
People are used to doing everything online – from shopping and banking to booking holidays. They expect things to be quick, easy and just work. That expectation applies to council services too.
Revenues & Benefits teams are under increasing pressure to manage rising workloads, improve customer experience and deliver more with limited resources. Automation is helping councils meet these challenges head-on by removing repetitive manual processes, reducing backlogs and creating more resilient, efficient services.
We’re getting ready to introduce a new service designed to tackle one of the most persistent challenges facing local authorities: managing high volumes of email efficiently. Developed in close collaboration with Manchester City Council, the new Inbox Assistant uses Netcall’s Liberty IDP technology to reduce manual effort and unlock further automation across Revenues & Benefits.
We’re delighted to share that Lichfield District Council has been shortlisted in the LGC Awards within the category of Innovation for its banded Council Tax Support as a Discount service. A brand-new offering that we developed together to digitally transform the way the council administers Council Tax Support.
Local government reorganisation (LGR) affects councils in different ways. First you need to come together and keep services operational, then you can think about digital transformation. But what if you could do both at the same time?
Across England, councils are contemplating, and in some cases already navigating, the most significant structural changes in decades. While authorities merge and consolidate, governance shifts and citizens expect to receive consistent, high quality services without interruption.
Automation has been on the local government agenda for years. Most councils are familiar with the term, and many believe they already understand what it means. But automation doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone – and that’s where expectations, ambition and outcomes can start to drift apart.
At Govtech, automation isn’t a destination or a one-off project. It’s a journey. One that progresses over time, deepens through partnership, and delivers more value as automation is continually refined and expanded.
As the holidays fast approach, we’d like to take a minute to wish all our customers, colleagues and partners a very Merry Christmas! This year has whizzed by in a flash so it’s a big thanks to all our customers for keeping us so busy. We wouldn’t want it any other way.
Digital transformation is a pressing issue for all organisations, but local government faces its own distinctive hurdles. Councils must deliver faster, more seamless services, all while managing tight budgets and grappling with legacy technology. Yet, driving transformation is complex: research indicates that three-quarters of digital transformation projects fail to yield returns exceeding their initial investment, with 70% of failures attributed to poor adoption and resistance to change. For local authorities, this highlights the importance of investing in digital solutions tailored to local government needs – striking a balance between citizen expectations and operational realities, and ultimately achieving measurable results.