Rohallion Reflects on LocalGov Drupal Week 2024

Last week’s LocalGov Drupal Week once again brought together Councils, suppliers and the wider LocalGov Drupal community to explore innovative approaches to local government digital services. For the Rohallion team, the event was an opportunity to engage with new ideas, share our experiences, and reflect on the direction of LocalGov Drupal. This second annual event, held virtually, offered a rich schedule of sessions covering best practices, future developments, and real-world examples.

The theme of performance optimisation took centre stage in the session "How You Can Improve Access to Council Services by Improving Site Performance," which Marek attended. This talk highlighted the importance of reducing website data weight to improve user accessibility while also benefiting the environment. Insights from research conducted on nearly 400 council websites revealed key areas for improvement, such as using optimized image formats like WebP and minimizing third-party font usage.

The future of LocalGov Drupal was explored in "Looking Forward to 2025 LocalGov Drupal Developments," a session that introduced exciting innovations. Highlights included AI-powered tools, the Mercury editor, and advancements like the Starshot initiative, which promise to make Drupal more accessible and flexible for councils. Chris, who attended this session, felt it signalled a future where Drupal adoption becomes even easier and more impactful.

Sessions like "How We’re Using LocalGov Drupal for Our Council Intranet" provided valuable case studies. Sheffield showcased seamless integration with existing applications, while Cumberland demonstrated a strong commitment to open-source principles. These examples underscored the versatility of LocalGov Drupal in meeting varied organisational needs.

Chris also appreciated the session "Taking LocalGov Drupal to the Next Level," which featured insights into evolving modules like publications and accessibility. He noted the potential of these developments to enhance usability and inclusivity. This session also highlighted the growing interest in the elections module, which we developed, and its potential to streamline complex council processes.

Beyond these technical sessions, the formal discussions at the AGM of the Open Digital Cooperative, titled "Changing the World One Website at a Time with the Open Digital Cooperative" reinforced the importance of strategic collaboration and community-driven progress in driving the platform’s growth.

Throughout the week, Rohallion was inspired by the shared commitment of the LocalGov Drupal community to building scalable, inclusive, and sustainable digital solutions. As the week concluded, we left with new insights and a renewed enthusiasm for contributing to the platform’s evolution, ensuring LocalGov Drupal continues to help Councils meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve.