{"id":35091,"date":"2024-01-24T14:44:32","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T14:44:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digileaders.com\/?p=35091"},"modified":"2024-01-25T17:22:11","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T17:22:11","slug":"changing-populations-what-next-for-local-gov","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digileaders.com\/changing-populations-what-next-for-local-gov\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing populations \u2013 what next for local gov?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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From an ageing population and digital exclusion to access to employment and skills for young people, local authorities across the UK are dealing with many challenges daily \u2013 against a backdrop of financial challenges and political change.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve spent the past 12 months talking to current and future council leaders in a series of\u00a0Future Of Local Government<\/a>\u00a0roundtables with Solace. In our latest session in Birmingham, we discussed the best ways to stay agile and flexible in the face of the growing need to adapt spaces and services for populations both now and in the future.<\/p>\n

At South Staffordshire, the Council\u2019s approach to changing expectations is three-fold; Mark Jenkinson Assistant Director, Community Services explained this as, \u201cSmall, nimble and connected.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re small enough to remain close to our communities, but big enough to make a difference. Being nimble means staying flexible to respond to community sensitivities, but unfaltering on our ambition for the district. Finally, we are connected to forge productive ways of working, and confident to enhance our digital agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The ageing factor<\/h3>\n

One recurring topic was the UK\u2019s ageing population. According to the\u00a0Office for National Statistics<\/a>\u00a0by 2066 there will be a further 8.6 million projected UK residents aged 65+ years: making the total number 20.4 million (26% of the total population). The fastest increase will be in the 85+ years age group which will treble to 5.1 million people (7% of the UK population) by 2066.<\/p>\n

Within the UK, the older population is not equally spread across local areas, with older people making up higher proportions of the populations of rural and coastal areas than urban areas. This is a deciding factor in how councils, particularly in more rural areas, need to plan both physical and digital services for residents.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s an assumption that the elderly are not as digitally literate as younger people but this is not always the case. Providing easy digital access to services is one way forward to increase engagement in this demographic, while also gathering the data needed to plan better services for the future. Local leaders at the roundtable agreed that advances in assisted technology and home sensors will be of increasing value \u2013 being able to share data with families and those in the community, as well as the local authority, will speed up action to help if needed.<\/p>\n

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Keeping talent in rural areas<\/h3>\n

Another issue for councils, especially in more rural areas, is keeping young, skilled workers in the area to help boost the local economy and enable people to stay local rather than having to move away to find opportunities.<\/p>\n

One way to enable this is to offer skills and training for young people by establishing workshops, apprenticeship programmes or partnering with local businesses on internships and other opportunities. Collaborating with schools and community organisations helps to tailor training to meet the specific needs and interests of young people in the area. Improving access to quality education, offering diverse job opportunities \u2013 even supporting entrepreneurship \u2013 are all crucial factors.<\/p>\n

The good news, regardless of specific demographics, is that the intelligence councils can gather from data can help them understand the needs, preferences and demographics of their communities. It will inform how local authorities plan better and support communities for the future \u2013 both with targeted interventions and wider developments.<\/p>\n

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There\u2019s no doubt that councils face a huge challenge in meeting the needs of everyone in the wider community, whether a rural borough council or a large inner-city borough. But by engaging regularly both face-to-face and via digital platforms, providing opportunities and training and using data effectively, councils can continue to drive a clearer direction for the future.<\/p>\n

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