In this guest blog, West Lindsey District Council share how they used transformational programs and funding to digitise their financial services and improve their digital operations. Learn how the council made impactful changes in line with the Local Digital Declaration.

Problem they were trying to solve

West Lindsey District Council identified that their financial systems were not user friendly or informative. The financial team was overstretched from manually inputting and manipulating data to develop reports, and found meeting the needs of their council leaders a challenge. The organisation then consulted with their budget managers who pinpointed the need for high quality reports, specialised dashboards, and a more intuitive planning system for commercial projects.

In line with the Local Digital Declaration, West Lindsey District Council approached the dilemma with an interest in using digital services and platforms to function more effectively.

How they solved the problem

1. Launching the Together24 program

In 2020, the council launched Together24, a transformational initiative that places the community at the heart of their decision-making process. The program aims to ensure high quality, cost effective delivery aligned with user needs.

2. Implementing new digital software

In line with their commitment to the Declaration, West Lindsey implemented TechnologyOne’s OneCouncil. This Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution improved workflow, provided user-friendly interfaces, and transformed financial processes. The platform has helped the council to more effectively leverage grants, including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund that provides revenue grants for agritech and diversification funding for non-agricultural farms and the the £13m Levelling Up Fund.

Beyond the financial benefits, OneCouncil has improved the quality of services provided to residents. In correlation with the Together24 initiative, West Lindsey can achieve its goal of placing residents at the centre of council activity. The innovation empowered West Lindsey’s workforce and fostered a better work-life balance.

3. Making organisational changes

West Lindsey District Council placed a strong emphasis on supporting their staff throughout the digital transformation. Team training sessions, stakeholder engagement, phased implementation, and regular feedback sessions helped ease adoption and demonstrated the software’s benefits.

What they achieved

West Lindsey District Council experienced immediate benefits by embracing innovative technology and successfully delivering their digital transformation to time and within budget. This includes:

• the financial team’s time effectiveness improved significantly, with easier, more reliable reporting and better oversight of operations
• with OneCouncil, the council saved resources on server management and upkeep, redirecting savings to high impact areas
• as one of only three councils in the UK to submit their 2023/24 financial year accounts on time, West Lindsey set an example in public finance management
• the council used their improved reporting system to identify and address a £150,000 shortfall, ensuring the fulfilment of essential programs like the Disabled Facilities Grant

What’s next for West Lindsey District Council

West Lindsey District Council plans to build on these successes to continually enhance operational performance and public confidence in their spending. Their transformation showcases how practical digital changes aligned with the Local Digital Declaration can produce measurable benefits for communities. 

This journey is a strong example for councils working towards the Declaration’s ambition and their own digital goals, showing the value of transformation in local government.

Share your successes and access key resources

Would you like to celebrate your digital achievements in a future issue of Local Digital’s Council Spotlight blog series? Find out more and apply to take part. 

For more insights, explore our resources for digital transformation.