AWS launches free digital transformation support to UK local councils

Programme is designed to support local governments and authorities in their efforts to modernise IT services

AWS has launched a three-month programme that provides local councils and government authorities with free access to consulting services, software, and infrastructure solutions from AWS and its partner network.

The programme, which is designed to support government bodies in their efforts to modernise their IT services, is being initially piloted in the UK, Ireland and Spain and will see AWS and its partners offer advice, run workshops and build and trial proof of concepts.

"Through the programme's UK trials, we have been able to quickly design compelling, repeatable, and scalable solutions for a number of local authorities in the UK," Isabella Groegor-Cechowicz, vice-president EMEA Public Sector at AWS, said.

"We've equipped them with the tools they need to address key issues and unlock innovation. We're excited to be rolling this out to other local authorities in the UK, Ireland, and Spain."

The programme has been trialled across the UK in recent months, including at Swindon Borough Council to help improve its reporting processes and response times to reports of illegally dumped rubbish by introducing artificial intelligence to analyse citizen-submitted photographic images and intelligent route mapping.

AWS added that the programme is designed "to help ensure governments are getting the most from their resources, eliminating bottlenecks, and addressing the causes that underpin common issues such as siloed data, long waits on the part of citizens for services and support, and skill shortages".