Modernising Local Governance: How Parish Councils Are Embracing Digital Transformation
- So365
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 30
A Practical Example of Digital Transformation in Local Government
As local councils face increasing pressure to modernise, improve transparency, and deliver more with less, digital transformation is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity.
One parish council recently partnered with us through our Microsoft 365 Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP), and their journey offers a compelling model for others looking to do the same.
This shift comes at a time when UK local government is undergoing significant structural change. Under the English Devolution White Paper, powers and responsibilities are being devolved from borough and county councils to more local authorities - including parish councils. As these councils take on broader roles, the need for modern digital infrastructure and support has never been greater.
What Is the Continuous Improvement Plan?
The CIP is a structured, subscription-based support model designed to help councils get the most from Microsoft 365. It provides a monthly allocation of hours that can be flexibly used across a range of services - from configuration reviews and training to process automation and SharePoint development.
This approach ensures councils receive consistent, expert-led support tailored to their evolving needs, without the overhead of managing ad hoc projects or one-off consultancy engagements.
Key Objectives and Challenges
The council we supported faced several common challenges:
Digital confidence
Staff were keen to use Microsoft 365 more effectively but lacked the training and support to do so.
Collaboration gaps
Internal communication and document sharing were fragmented.
Limited IT resources
With no in-house IT team, the council needed a trusted partner to guide their use of Microsoft 365.
Manual processes
Many tasks were still paper-based or reliant on outdated tools.
What We Delivered
Through the CIP, we provided:
Expert guidance on Microsoft 365 configuration and usage.
SharePoint intranet design and deployment to centralise information and improve access.
Process automation and app development using Power Apps and Power Automate to reduce manual effort.
Targeted training sessions to build internal capability.
Monthly reporting to track progress and prioritise future work.
A Roadmap for Change
The CIP is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a collaborative framework that evolves with the council’s needs.
In this case, we began with foundational improvements - like governance reviews and SharePoint setup - before moving into more advanced areas such as automation and digital service delivery.
The roadmap is reviewed regularly, ensuring that support hours are always aligned with the council’s priorities.
Why Now?
The timing of this engagement is especially relevant.
The UK government’s local government reorganisation strategy is shifting more responsibility to parish and town councils. As these bodies take on new duties in areas like planning, public services, and community engagement, they must operate with greater efficiency, transparency, and digital capability.
This creates both a challenge and an opportunity: councils that invest in the right tools and support now will be better positioned to serve their communities in the years ahead.
Why This Matters
This engagement shows how even small councils can make meaningful progress with the right support. By investing in a CIP, councils gain a trusted partner, a flexible delivery model, and a clear path to digital maturity.
If your council is exploring how to get more from Microsoft 365 - or simply wants to work smarter - we’d love to talk.
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