Local by social

Social media is changing the world in which we work, socialise and govern. From Twitter to eBay, Facebook to YouTube, new tools are emerging every year that place the connecting power of the internet in the hands of every one of us.

In this context, the expectations on councils to engage, work openly, be accountable and move more quickly on issues are growing. Meanwhile, councils are facing the biggest cuts in spending in the post-war period and are being asked to do more with less just as demands from local people are rising. Higher expectations combined with drastically fewer resources make the imperative to innovate critical. A new set of tools is needed to meet this challenge.

This document outlines how local authorities can use social media to achieve more for less. It also highlights the risk to councils if they ignore the technological advances of social media and the people using them.

How Local Authorities can use Social Media to Achieve More for Less (PDF, 48 pages, 367KB)

Further information

Local by Social is supported by Social by Social, an online resource where you can find a range of detailed tools, examples, guidance and a glossary explaining all things social media.

Social by Social website

The Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) has also just published three new case studies on how councils are using social media and open data through the Knowledge Hub programme.

Kent County Council is opening up data to help citizens make use of it through the 'Pic and Mix' project and is using social media tools to enable better internal communications.

Devon County Council has been developing its Social Media strategy and is using social media to reach young pregnant teens, promote cultural events and libraries and save money in internal communications.

Devon County Council case study – on the Worktogether website 

Brent Council is using social media over a range of services and is continuing to develop its approach.

London Borough of Brent case study – on the Worktogether website 

The Knowledge Hub programme aims to create a trusted learning and sharing environment throughout the local government sector. It will use Web 2.0 technology and services to support networking, collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Find out more about the Knowledge Hub programme

Ingrid Koelher is the IDeA Strategist for Social Media. You can see a growing collection of examples of how local government around the world is using social media, by reading her blog.

Local Gov 2.0 blog

This community welcomes those new to the concept of social media and online networking, as well as those already involved. It promotes the use of web technology to help local government bodies communicate and collaborate.

Social Media and Online Collaboration Community of Practice

'Connected Councillors: A guide to using social media to support local leadership' outlines:

• how councillors are already using social media to engage with local residents and campaign on important local issues
• how councils can use social media more effectively to support better services for local people
• the role that councillors can take in leading this digital revolution.

More about Connected Councillors: A guide to using social media

Alongside the guide there is an interactive site which allows you to comment on every aspect of the guidance and see videos and case studies of how other councillors are using social media.

21st century councillors website

Page published March 2010.