Mayoral authorities will be offered a place on a new Mayoral Data Council which will work with central government departments on digital services and solutions, under plans outlined by ministers.
The Data Council was announced as part of the Government's agenda to strengthen the powers and reach of councils across a broad range of sectors, including highways and transport, in a devolution white paper this week.
Through the Data Council, senior figures from mayoral strategic authorities would be involved in central decision-making 'on data issues that affect them', the white paper said.
It would also 'champion better data and better use of data, as well as improved data sharing and provide input into the Mayoral Council and the central government digital and data function'.
Government officials said that the council would work with relevant government departments to refine and implement data partnership principles, which were co-developed with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities through trailblazer deals.
These principles set out how central government and strategic authorities will work together for the legal, safe and secure sharing of data, to make accessing 'priority datasets easier and more streamlined'.
The Government also pledged to 'legislate to broaden the scope of the Digital Economy Act 2017 public service delivery powers via a provision in the Data (Use and Access) Bill – to allow for information sharing to improve public service delivery to businesses'.
'We will also work with Strategic Authorities to consider establishing data sharing initiatives under the Digital Economy Act,' ministers said.
Chief executive of local government think tank Localis, Jonathan Werran, said it was 'significant' that the Government had considered the 'need to improve local data' as part of decision-making in placemaking and local public services.
'This echoes the call made by Localis in our ‘Level Measures’ report from 2023 to establish sub-regional data centres as hubs able to compete with the private sector to attract skilled analysts as shared resources for councils across wide geographies to collate and analyse public service data,' he added.
Joshua Wood, strategic account director at leading field workforce mobility platform, FYLD, which specialises in data and AI services, told Highways: 'We welcome the Government’s commitment to empowering local authorities and improving infrastructure delivery through devolved decision-making. The proposed approach aligns with our mission to drive innovation and efficiency across highways and infrastructure projects.
'By equipping local leaders with greater control and strategic powers, including transport and local infrastructure improvements, there is an opportunity to transform operational productivity, reduce costs, and enhance worker safety—areas where FYLD’s AI-powered technology delivers proven results. We look forward to collaborating with local authorities and strategic partners to ensure technology and innovation play a central role in achieving these ambitious goals.'
