Author | Lightnews

Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 6d

Has there been a more influential bit of music making kit released in the last 50-ish years than the 303?

I guess you could argue the 808?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 13d

This week:

▶️ Went to Taunton to talk with officers at Somerset Council.
▶️ Presented at the Technical Design Council; spoke about the pressures on councils and some of the positive things happening with technology.
▶️ Took part in a GOV.UK App workshop for #localgov.

The outside of the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · 25d

There was GDS hack earlier this year.

cddo.blog.gov.uk/2025/05/06/b...

Blueprint for Modern Digital Government Comes Alive at GDS Local Government Innovation Hackathon in Leeds

Over 150 innovators from across local and central government came together to reimagine the planning system at the GDS Local Government Innovation Hackathon. 15 teams tackled real planning challenges ...

cddo.blog.gov.uk

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Sep 30

Hello Birmingham.Just passing through on my way to Sheffield today.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Sep 27

From what I read it's only going to be mandatory to prove your right to work.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

New digital ID scheme to be rolled out across UK

A new digital ID scheme will help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services. Digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks ...

www.gov.uk

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Sep 27

If the intent is to do what One Login ((www.sign-in.service.gov.uk)) and Wallet (www.gov.uk/wallet) have already been created for, then it need not be catastrophically expensive.

GOV.UK One Login

www.sign-in.service.gov.uk

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Sep 26

Still waiting for the announcement of digital ego and digital superego.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Sep 24

Do you notice anything new on this list of teams at the Government Digital Service stand at #DigiGovExpo today?

List of GDS teams, reading I.AI, GOV.UK App, GOV.UK Chat, GOV.UK Wallet, One Login, Government Cyber Unit, GDS local government, Digital Backbone, Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence, National Underground Assets Register.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Sep 9

I'm at @techuk.bsky.social Building the Smarter State event tomorrow. If you're also attending and fancy a chat about anything #localgov #digital related, do please say hello.

Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Sep 2

Interesting that it mentions DLUHC 17 times.

Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Aug 25

This is my final week employed in #localgov, so I wrote a piece about it.

philrumens.blogspot.com/2025/08/leav...

Leaving local government

It’s often been fun, occasionally frustrating, always fulfilling, but this is my final week employed in local government. There are few type...

philrumens.blogspot.com

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Aug 13

It's encouraging to see more service design roles being advertised in #localgov, in recent months.

This example is at Westmorland and Furness.

recruitment.cumbria.gov.uk/trentl_webre...

Job profile

recruitment.cumbria.gov.uk

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Aug 6

This Briefing Room episode on the history and future of ID cards in the UK was a great listen, with the added welcome surprise that Rachel contributed to the discussion.

Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · Jul 31

Listening to @jonagar.bsky.social bring this great thread to life www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m... with the telling remark that ID cards are often mooted in response to the moral panic of the day. I pop up in the 2nd half talking @carefultrouble.bsky.social's research into public opinion on digital ID

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 28

It looks like existing councils going through local government reorganisation will require written consent from the successor council for any IT contract worth in excess of £100k revenue spend during the lifetime of the contract.

www.gov.uk/government/p...

Financial decisions before local government reorganisation

www.gov.uk

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 27

My most prolific chilli plant this year is also one that's been outside since May. Definitely a result of the hot weather this year, and perhaps a sign of things to come.

A Hungarian Wax chilli plant with many chillies of various colours.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 26

I blame Norman Reedus.

Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 26

I just "verified my age" through a service that uses facial age estimation.

What checks are in place in these services to stop me falsely verifying my age using a picture I printed out?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 18

Interesting, but it wouldn't work with this: ridgewaycouncil.org/Boundaries

'Ridgeway Council' boundaries - Ridgeway Council

View a map showing the proposed boundaries for the new 'Ridgeway Council'

ridgewaycouncil.org

Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 18

Where's TV-AM?

Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 17

Does this band have a conductor though?

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 15

I'm confused.

Apparently this is a service station in County Tipperary en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_...

So, why's he wearing a Kerry jersey?

Barack Obama Plaza - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 8

"In an era of growing mistrust in public institutions and traditional democratic processes, it is even more important for AI in the public sector to be seen as trustworthy"

This report from @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social is a good read.

www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/policy-brief...

Licence to build

Public attitudes to public sector AI

www.adalovelaceinstitute.org

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 4

Hi. There's another website here twocouncils.org that explains the two councils proposal which you might find useful.

You can also see the boundaries of the proposed Ridgeway Council here: ridgewaycouncil.org/Boundaries

Home - Two Councils

Two Councils. One Better Future.

twocouncils.org

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jul 1

Interesting to see the GOV.UK App already has a your local services section, albeit just a link to council websites at the moment.

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Phil Rumens @rumens.uk · Jun 29

Hi Bluesky. Can anyone give me some insight into ORCATS (Operational Research Computerised Allocation of Tickets to Services), used for real time reservation and revenue sharing on tickets between train operating companies please?