The UK government is rolling out its AI suite, Humphrey, in local councils. One of its key tools, Minute, takes meeting notes. It was even used in a meeting led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Minute is part of Humphrey, designed to streamline how civil servants work for ministers and the public. Early tests showed it saved officials an hour of administrative work for every hour of meetings. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) noted that Minute speeds up action following planning meetings, letting officers concentrate on actual decision-making instead of paperwork. Right now, 25 local councils are trialing it.
This initiative aims to ease administrative tasks in the planning process, complementing the goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2030. Lords minister for housing and local government, Sharon Taylor, emphasized that local councils play a crucial role in housing delivery, and technology like Minute helps them focus on getting Britain building again.
Minute isn’t just for planning; social care workers can use it too, allowing them to prioritize support instead of getting bogged down in paperwork.
This trial connects to the government’s broader effort to help councils leverage technology for better services. As part of the 50-point AI Opportunities Plan released in January, the government launched an AI Knowledge Hub to share examples of successful tech use among councils. For instance, there’s an AI assistant that speeds up reporting fly-tipping and graffiti in London.
A 2024 Local Government Association (LGA) survey showed that 85% of participating councils are using or exploring AI. Most reported benefits in staff productivity (35%), service efficiency (32%), and cost savings (22%). Yet, the LGA pointed out significant hurdles. Funding issues affected 64% of respondents, while 53% cited a lack of staff capabilities, and 50% mentioned insufficient capacity. Governance and unclear use cases were also concerns for 41% of respondents each.
The government’s recent State of Digital Government review revealed that the 320 local authorities in England negotiate tech contracts separately. This fragmented approach tends to waste resources, especially when many councils need the same tools. The AI trials and Knowledge Hub are steps toward breaking down these barriers in the public sector.
AI and digital government minister Feryal Clark noted that local councils deal with critical services like parking permits and planning permissions. They’ve often struggled to keep up with fast-paced innovations in AI. The government plans to assist councils in acquiring and developing the technology they need to better serve their communities.