In the Spotlight: Shared technical architecture across local government
A new initiative from the Government Digital Service is exploring how shared technical architecture could help UK councils better understand their technology systems, reduce duplication and collaborate more effectively on digital public services.
Challenge
Local authorities across the UK face many of the same digital challenges, yet their technology systems are often developed independently. This has led to a fragmented landscape where councils use similar tools – such as case management systems, document management platforms and integration layers – but structure and document them in different ways.
The lack of a shared architectural approach can make it difficult to identify common patterns or opportunities for reuse. As a result, councils may end up solving similar technology problems multiple times, increasing costs and slowing digital transformation.
Understanding how councils design and manage their technical architecture is therefore an important step in enabling better collaboration and improving digital service delivery across local government.
Solution
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is exploring the creation of a shared technical architecture model for local government.
Rather than prescribing a single technology stack, the approach focuses on creating a consistent way for councils to map and describe their technology systems. This shared framework would allow authorities to better understand how their systems fit together and where opportunities exist to reuse components or adopt common patterns.
The proposed architecture model aims to:
- provide a common language for describing council technology systems
- support more informed technology planning and decision-making
- highlight duplication and opportunities for reuse
- improve system integration and data sharing across services
- enable more effective collaboration between local authorities.
Importantly, the model is designed to support local flexibility while offering a shared foundation for digital development.
Local government digital services typically rely on a combination of core platforms and systems, including:
- case and customer relationship management systems
- document management platforms
- integration layers connecting different services
- cloud infrastructure and hosting platforms
- data management and analytics tools.
Mapping these technologies within a shared architectural model helps identify common components and patterns that could potentially be reused across councils.
Partners
The initiative is being developed through collaboration between central government, local authorities and the technology sector.
GDS has been working closely with digital practitioners across councils to understand existing technology architectures and identify shared challenges. Workshops and consultations have also been held with technology vendors through industry groups such as techUK.
This collaborative approach aims to ensure that the model reflects the practical realities of council technology environments while also supporting future innovation.
Result
A shared approach to technical architecture could bring several advantages for local government, including:
- reduced duplication of technology solutions
- improved interoperability between council systems
- clearer planning for digital transformation initiatives
- greater opportunities for councils to collaborate and share services
- better digital public services for residents and businesses.
By helping councils better understand and communicate their technology systems, the initiative supports broader efforts to modernise digital infrastructure across local government.
Next steps
The work forms part of a wider programme to strengthen digital capability across local government.
Insights gathered from councils and industry partners will inform the development of a shared architecture framework that can be adopted voluntarily by authorities. Over time, this could help create a more connected digital ecosystem across local government, supporting improved collaboration and more efficient public service delivery.
Related Articles
In the Spotlight: Cumberland Council’s digital approach to local government reorganisation
As local government reorganisation reshapes councils across England, Cumberland Council has used low-code technology, process mapping and automation to maintain service continuity while managing one of the sector’s most complex operational ...Technical Debt Blueprint - Navigating a key challenge to modernisation and digital transformation | CGI
Stopping technical debt from crossing the line Technical debt can mean different things to different people, but the main business challenge Central Government business and IT leaders face is pervasive technical debt, which can have a huge impact on ...In the Spotlight: Somerset Council
When five district councils merged to form Somerset Council, unifying fragmented payment systems became an urgent priority. Steve Rose, the council’s IMS project strategic finance lead, explains how the council delivered a single income management ...In the Spotlight: The City of Edinburgh Council
Digitally transforming social housing repairs and maintenance with Totalmobile The City of Edinburgh Council is one of the largest local authorities in the UK, with more than 17,000 staff providing services to nearly 500,000 people. Like many ...In the Spotlight: Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
Nerdio Empowers Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council to maximize IT efficiency and fiscal responsibility Background Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council serves a population of 130,000 with a lean staff of 600. For this small public sector organisation, ...