William Eichler 11 April 2025

Council signs up to AI trial

West Berkshire Council has been named as one of 25 local authorities to take part in a government-led artificial intelligence (AI) trial.

Developed by the Government's Incubator for Artificial Intelligence, the trial will see the council adopt an AI transcription and summary tool known as Minute.

Minute will be used to transcribe meetings and produce summaries in a format that will be useful for officers and members.

Cllr Vicky Poole, portfolio holder for Transformation and Corporate Programme (ICT and Digital Services) said: ‘I'm delighted that West Berkshire Council will be part of this pilot and look forward to the results.

‘If used securely and ethically, artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise how the public sector works. Like all other instances of using AI in the council, this will not be used to make decisions or create final versions of reports. Everything will be created by an officer but helped by using Minute.’

#Digital #AI #Transformation

Analysis

10 ways councils are responding to new housing and planning policy

With the Government’s target of building 1.5 million homes by 2029 looming, councils are enacting a number of policy shifts to accelerate housing delivery and increase the efficiency of planning processes.

Opinion

Why upskilling the workforce is mission-critical

Local government’s digital future depends on its people — and councils like Sheffield are proving that investing in data skills is the fastest way to deliver.

Most Popular News

‘Toxic’ 15-minute city phrase cut from Oxford local plan

WhatsApp probe finds councillors in breach of code of conduct

£2.8bn wages hike looms amid unions pay demands

Councils fear exclusion from pay negotiations

Eleven cities lead in living standards growth, research finds

New Products

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

UK-first tool developed by Bluesky scores areas green credentials to aid urban planners

New partnership drives improved air quality and healthier homes in social housing

Case Studies

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

Acrospire Partners with Bath & North East Somerset Council to Illuminate Historic Film Location with LED Upgrade

Believ to install 22 charge points across Redcar and Cleveland

Acrospire Enhances Harlington Underpass with Energy-Saving Vandal-Resistant Lighting

Company Anouncements

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

Vent-Axia Helps Tackle Condensation and Mould this World Ventilation Day

Airtech Calls For Urgent Government Action to Support Radon Awareness Week

Vent-Axia’s New Smart Fan Helps Landlords Stay Ahead of Awaab’s Law

Lucy Zodion recognised as sustainability leader with Build Back Better GREEN Award for HAWK3

Director of Social Work and Social Care

£100,731 to £104,625

You will join a values-driven senior leadership team, providing visible and responsive leadership. Manchester

Recuriter: Trafford Council

Housing Ombudsman

£130,095 per annum, negotiable based on experience.

The Housing Ombudsman Service allows colleagues to choose if they wish to work in the London office, from home or a hybrid of the two London (Greater)

Recuriter: Housing Ombudsman Service