Blog and updates

Balancing today’s services with tomorrow’s improvements One of the strongest themes from Sprint 67 was the balance between keeping existing services running and improving how we work for the future. The team progressed day-to-day content and platform work while also…

Welcome to our Sprint Reflections Every two weeks, our team comes together for our sprint review and planning sessions. I’ve realised that many of the conversations, lessons and achievements shared on those days never make it much further than the…

When people talk about digital transformation, the focus is often on technology. New systems, online forms, automation and artificial intelligence all have an important role to play. But technology alone does not improve a service If people cannot find information,…

This week I facilitated my first collaborative Accessibility and Digital Inclusion workshop alongside Kevin Chorley, with colleagues from the Service Design and Change team. The aim was simple; to better understand how our teams can work together to reduce the…

One of the things I enjoy most about working in accessibility and digital inclusion is that no two days are ever quite the same. Morning – Talking Today started with an opportunity to speak at Routes to Inclusion, an event…

One of our main goals in the Digital Transformation Team has been to update our legacy microsites onto the “Evergreen” platform. The aim here is to improve the accessibility, content and design of some of our older microsites. This should…

Not knowing what you need is normal As a disabled person, one of the hardest questions I have been asked at work is: What adjustments do you need? It is meant well, and comes from a place of wanting to…

As a Digital Design and Development Officer, my role sits at the intersection of design, development and content. Working within an Agile framework, no two days are the same, but each one is focused on delivering clear, accessible and reliable…

Some weeks, it looks like not much has been completed. There’s no big launch. No tidy “job done”. No clear line you can draw under a task and say: that’s finished. And if you are someone who likes order and lists,…

Across the South West, many of us are working on similar challenges, often with similar tools, but largely on our own. We build local solutions, learn hard lessons, and then move on — without always having the space or permission…

Each year, updating fees and charges is a task that appears straightforward at first glance – but quickly proves more complex in practice. Fees and charges affect a wide range of council services and are often some of the most…

Asking is not the same as listening: What inclusive planning really requires In organisations like local authorities, helping people is at the heart of what we do. We talk often about inclusion, accessibility and fairness – and that is important.…

Supporting residents to get things done In 2025, people used the Somerset Council website to get things done. The website supported around 5.3 million visits and 14.7 million views, with an average duration spend was around 4 minutes, helping residents, businesses…

Local Government Reorganisation can feel daunting, especially when it involves merging multiple councils, services and websites into one new unitary authority. Having been through this process at Somerset Council, we know how valuable it can be to learn from others…

2025 was a huge year for the Digital Service. Despite reduced capacity, the team kept everything running. Here’s the story of what we handled, what we learned, and why we should celebrate the impact we made. But, first things first…

No two days are ever the same when you work in digital content. My role as a Senior Digital Content Officer is a mix of strategy, writing, problem‑solving and collaboration. A big part of my job is making sure people…

When I am working on our website content, someone will often say, “Let’s add an section.” It sounds like a quick fix. It feels helpful. It sounds quick. It feels like the easiest way to tidy up a messy set…

Over the past year, our development work has centred on one clear focus: making work easier – for services, for the Digital Transformation team, and ultimately for residents. By rethinking how information flows between services and our content management systems,…

One thing I’ve learned as an Accessibility Specialist is that the work isn’t just about standards, criteria, and audits. A surprising amount of the job sits in the space between people – in conversations where time is short, pressures are…

When we talk about content governance, it can sound a bit dry, but it’s actually one of the most important things that keeps a council website clear, safe and trustworthy. Good governance protects our residents and our organisation. It helps…