Information watchdog to publish guidance for councils on procuring AI

02/06/2026

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is set to publish guidance to support councils and other public bodies on procuring artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Council to move ad screen after cycle lane forces cyclists to swerve

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Research finds council homes falling behind in solar uptake

Children’s services directors oppose under-16s social media ban

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Politics and Policy

Essex council chief demands urgent LGR talks with minister

Suspended Tory councillor considers legal action over ‘defamatory’ remarks

Bill 'first step' in fiscal devolution era

Local Elections 2026: Results show Reform surge and Labour losses

Human Resources

Union rejects local government pay offer

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Finance

Councils demand full cost recovery for planning fees

Government names preferred candidate to chair new Local Audit Office

Three quarters of public sector leaders report severe financial strain

EXCLUSIVE: MHCLG working to overhaul Best Value

Transformation

Stoke-on-Trent explores AI solutions to prevent resident debt

Fresh request for remote council meeting legislation

English council data breaches up 53%

Electoral Commission launches deepfake detection pilot ahead of May elections

Health and Social Care

Council criticised for failing domestic abuse survivor

Lancashire to work 'at pace' to meet Southport Inquiry demands

Five thousand care homes uninspected for five years, analysis reveals

Ombudsman finds council twice at fault for failing children with SEND

Public Property

Mayoral Development Zone proposed to drive Leeds regeneration

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Analysis

Delivering Regeneration: How collaborative contracts are transforming place-making

Discover how collaborative contracting is helping councils deliver regeneration more effectively with this free special report from LocalGov and NEC Contracts.

Opinion

The little button quietly saving UK councils from a thousand complaint emails

Councils spend thousands handling complaints, calls and enquiries generated by underperforming web pages. The fix costs a fraction of that.

Most Popular News

The little button quietly saving UK councils from a thousand complaint emails

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New Products

Safeguarding Children - the AAT Way

MSL enhances hygiene auditing with air quality testing for Awaab’s Law compliance

Cadcorp launches Mapestry

Bolton Council Upgrades 120+ School Crossings with Smart CMS Control by Lucy Zodion

NEC CONTRACTS HAS GONE DIGITAL: PAPERLESS, TO GIVE YOU MORE

Vent-Axia Delivers Social Housing a Smart Ventilation Solution Ahead of Awaab’s Law

New remotely lockable cabinet will help manage medication for people with mental health issues

Case Studies

Acrospire Delivers Durable Handrail Lighting Upgrade for Historical Landmark Jacob’s Ladder

Acrospire Delivers Seamless Heritage Lighting Upgrade on Bath’s North Parade Bridge

Acrospire Delivers Retrofit Lighting for Newbridge’s Joe Calzaghe Footbridge

Acrospire Delivers PIR-Controlled Lighting at Ruislip Lido Car Park

Spennymoor Market Place and Consett Middle Street revitalised using Thorn Lighting’s Thor Lanterns and Customisable Gobo Projectors

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Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Company Anouncements

Vent-Axia Welcomes the Future Homes Standard as Competency Takes Centre Stage

Apricorn Becomes First and Only Hardware-Encrypted USB Storage Device Manufacturer to Achieve AS9100 Certification

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CU Phosco Approved as a Crown Commercial Service Supplier

Acrospire triumphs at the 2025 HEA Awards with Sustainable Project of the Year

TRT Lighting retrofit helps Lincolnshire County Council cut street lighting energy use by over 65%

Vent-Axia Welcomes Healthy Homes Standard