Welcome to our newsletter, bringing you all the latest from the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government. In this newsletter, we bring you a detailed update on what has been happening throughout the last month and details of upcoming activities.
If you have any queries regarding any of the content within this newsletter, please get in touch.
The CHI in Local Government programme was highlighted as a key priority at this year’s FutureScot Health and Social Care Conference on 12 March, with contributions from Jonathan Cameron, Deputy Director for Digital Health and Care at the Scottish Government, Nicola Dickie, Director of People Policy at COSLA, and Christine McLaughlin, Co‑Director of Population Health at the Scottish Government.
Claire Ross, our CHI Programme Manager, provided an update on the programme’s context, vision and aims, alongside the expected outputs and delivery timeline. If you would like to know more about the programme, please get in touch at info@digitaloffice.scot
Energy Invest to Save Project Moves to Installation Phase.
The Energy Invest to Save project has reached a major milestone: site visits are now complete, and installations are about to begin. This marks the transition from planning to delivery for a programme that will monitor energy use across one million square feetof council buildings including an office headquarters, schools, leisure centres, and depots.
The sensors will provide real-time data to help councils cut waste, lower bills, and reduce emissions. With installations underway, the project (which is funded through the Scottish Government Public Service Reform Invest to Save fund) is set to deliver measurable savings and support Scotland’s net zero ambitions. If you would like to know more about the programme, please get in touch at info@digitaloffice.scot.
Scotland's AI Strategy (2026 - 2031).
Scotland's AI Strategy (2026-2031) has now been published. It’s essential that we support the ambitions of the AI Strategy and the Scottish Digital Academy, in partnership with the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government will explore opportunities to develop digital skills and capability for those working in the public and third sectors.
Through the national Digital Capability Advisory Group (DCAG), we will progress work on an AI and Data Skills Framework, micro-credentials pilot and on promoting open education resources.
Data Literacy Academy: Programme Completion & Next Steps.
As we conclude the latest cycle of theData Literacy Academy, we’re delighted to share an update on what’s been achieved and what comes next as we move into the insight‑gathering and scaling stage of the programme.
Over the past year, the programme, delivered in partnership with the Scottish Digital Academy and the Digital Office, has supported learners across local government to strengthen their data confidence, interpret information effectively, and apply practical analytical skills in their day‑to‑day roles.
Participants engaged in a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning covering foundations of data, interpreting and communicating insights, and Power BI consumer skills.These sessions have helped build a shared language and culture around data use, while promoting ethical and effective data stewardship across councils.
Read our latest blog using the link below to find out more about the programme and next steps.
M365 Licence Allocation Framework Working Group Update.
We kicked off our M365 Licence Audit and Allocation Framework working group this week, bringing together 8 councils and 13 participants to tackle one of the most common pain points we hear - how do you know who actually needs what Microsoft licence, and how do you prove it?
The group had its first workshop on 19 March and the energy in the room was brilliant. Across our conversations with participating councils, a few consistent themes emerged: licence allocation has largely evolved organically over time, system dependencies are often undocumented, and Microsoft's pricing trajectory is making defensible allocation decisions more important than ever.
Over the next 7 months, we will develop a practical, reusable toolkit for all 32 councils to use. Watch this space for updates as the work progresses. If this is of interest to you, or if someone in your team would benefit from being involved, please get in touch with Monika Franko or Euan Miller.
Smart Data Foundry - Economic Wellbeing Explorer Session Update & Next Steps.
Thank you to everyone who joined our recent session featuring live demonstrations of the Economic Wellbeing Explorer, with powerful use‑case insights from The City of Edinburgh Council and East Renfrewshire Council. Engagement was incredibly strong, with thoughtful questions and clear interest in how this work can enhance local decision‑making and support wider sector ambitions.
Next Steps
Session Recording and Q&A Summary
The full demonstration recording, along with a Q&A document containing responses to all questions raised during the session from Smart Data Foundry and the Digital Office team, is available on the Digital Office Resource Centre.
Feedback & Input Form Please provide feedback to tell us about your priorities, challenges, and the types of support that would be most valuable as we shape the next stage of this work.
What’s Coming Next
Our next session on Wednesday 22nd April, at 12pm- 1:30pm, will be a hands‑on, troubleshooting‑focused workshop, working directly with local authority teams to:
Explore challenges around data access, quality, governance, and use
Identify opportunities where Smart Data Foundry services could add value
Define requirements that clearly show benefits, sustainability considerations, and impact
Begin shaping a robust business case aligned with both national and local digital strategies
This session will help ensure that any potential Scotland‑wide approach is grounded in co‑developed requirements and demonstrates clear value for councils.
Scaling Digital and Data Capabilities for a Future Ready Workforce Update.
Thank you to those of you who attended the Scaling Digital and Data Capabilities for a Future Ready Workforce session. If you were unable to attend you can view the recording on the Digital Office Resource Centre.
Below are the links to the resources from the DEW site above highlighted during the session:
Thriving in a Digital Age Pathways learning resources and reflective activities to help you broaden your knowledge of key digital and data topics. There are several pathways for you to work through AI, Cyber Security, Digital and Data and the newly launched Digital Leadership pathway.
AI Webinar Series is designed to demystify artificial intelligence (AI) and support the workforce to confidently and responsibly engage with AI tools.
KIND Network is an inclusive social learning community for people working with knowledge, information, and data across health, social care, and housing in Scotland.
Digital and Data Resource Hub developed in collaboration with stakeholders to make it easier to find online resources that enable the development of digital and data skills across the health and social care workforce.
M365 Skills Hub one‑stop space for quick, practical learning on Microsoft 365 tools including the ‘Ask the Community’ a peer support space where colleagues share tips, solve problems together, and learn from each other. Request access to the M365 Skills Hub.
New dates published for the Digital Mindset Sessions for Leaders This session immerses you in the language of service design and the foundation of all digital ways of working. Sessions are for all levels of leaders across all roles and professions to help you build the skills and capability needed to be a Digital Leader
Following these interactive sessions, we will collectively explore the scalability of the above resources with councils to help us with alignment and supporting teams to build digital capabilities. If you would like to learn more, please contact verity.hislop@digitaloffice.scot.
Explore this month's new additions to the
Resource Centre!
Take a moment to explore the brand new resources we have added to the Resource Centre this month! Not signed up yet? Register now to unlock full access and stay up to date with the latest resources.
Please note: you must be logged in to the Resource Centre for the below links to work and take you directly to the resources.
Event Materials: Designing with Citizens: Insights from Glasgow City Council.
On Wednesday 4 March 2026, the Local Government Service Design Group hosted a presentation from the Centre for Civic Innovation.
The Centre for Civic Innovation is Glasgow City Council’s citizen‑centred design team. Using a design‑led approach, the team works directly with citizens to explore new ways of solving challenges and shaping a better future for the city.
Anna Macpherson, Designer and Researcher for Neighbourhood Design, shared insights into the team’s work and their experience of designing with citizens. The event recording, slide deck, and Q&A pack are now available on the Resource Centre.
Event Materials: What's New in the Scottish Approach to Service Design.
On Wednesday 18 March, we hosted a focused Local Government Service Design Group session exploring the upcoming version of the Scottish Approach to Service Design (SAtSD).
Anna Henderson, Service Design Lead, and Rachel Dowle, Head of Strategic Design at the Office of the Chief Designer, shared the latest updates on the Approach - highlighting what has changed, why those changes matter, and what happens next. Catch up on the session using the link below and read the updated approach. The approach is available in alternative formats including Easy Read and British Sign Language.
E-learning: Action Counters Terrorism for Local Authorities.
Today, we are launching an eLearning package created by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), a part of the Metropolitan Police Force. specifically designed for Local Authorities to help them understand how to consider and mitigate terrorist risks in their public spaces.
Local Authorities are in a unique position to enhance the safety and security of their communities. This training is separate but complementary to the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn's Law. This training focuses on the Protect and Prepare elements of the UK Government counter terrorism strategy (known as CONTEST) and has been designed to support this work at a local level.
This training could be useful for Community Safety, Emergency Planning, Licensing, Planning and Development, and Transport and Highways. More information can be found at ProtectUK.
Human Bytes Webinar: Scotland Telecare - The Process, Learning and Results (Wednesday 22nd April).
In 2025, Scotland implemented a national wide telecare platform with the ambition to have a common response centre for better patient care and health economics, with full data and quality transparency at all Human Bytes Academy levels.
Our Business Relationship Manager for Digital Telecare, David Brown, has been leading this project and just received the Digital Leader Award for his achievements. The results are impressive and, in this webinar, David will discuss the process, learnings and results.
