Digital Office Action Plan 2026 - 2028

The Digital Office for Scottish Local Government is pleased to publish our Action Plan for 2026–2028. This plan sets out how we will continue to support Scottish local authorities to embrace digital to deliver safe, modern and efficient services for their communities.

2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the Digital Office. Ten years of inspiring, connecting and supporting councils to accelerate digital transformation and deliver better outcomes for the people of Scotland.

This Action Plan reflects the evolving role of the Digital Office and the practical steps we will take, working nationally, across the sector, and with individual local authorities, to strengthen digital foundations and enable delivery of the ambitions outlined in the Digital strategy for Scotland Vision Statement and its supporting action plans.

What the Action Plan covers

Over the next three years, we will focus on the enablers that help local authorities move faster, reduce duplication and build confidence in adopting new digital approaches. This includes strengthening data foundations, embedding responsible and ethical AI, maturing Microsoft 365, improving common design and technical architecture, enhancing cyber readiness and building digital skills and confidence across the workforce.

How we will deliver

The Digital Office will deliver on this purpose by operating at national level, sector level and council level, fulfilling four key roles:

• Contributing to National Policy and Strategy Development where there are digital or data dependencies.
• Design Assurance of National Digital Programmes.
• Digital Transformation Programme Management.
• Local Capability Building within Scottish Local Authorities

Message from Martyn Wallace, Chief Digital Officer

“As we move into 2026–2028 and mark the tenth anniversary of the Digital Office, our focus remains on delivering clear benefits to local authorities and the sector. Our priorities include supporting policy and strategy development, strengthening data foundations, embedding responsible and ethical AI, maturing Microsoft 365, improving common design and technical architecture, enhancing cyber readiness, and building digital skills and confidence across the workforce.

We will continue to work closely with local authorities and Digital Leaders to remove barriers, strengthen capacity and enable delivery, so every council can provide high-quality digital services, achieve better outcomes for communities, and ensure every digital investment delivers best value for the sector.”

Message from Colin Birchenall, Chief Technology Officer

“Digital transformation in local government is fundamentally about public service reform – changing how services are designed, delivered and sustained in the face of long‑term pressures. Local authorities are already leading this change locally. The Digital Strategy and Digital Public Services Delivery Plan strengthen the conditions for that reform, providing a shared point of alignment with the Scottish Government and the wider public sector.

This Action Plan sets out how the Digital Office will support that ambition in practice. Focusing on leadership, capability building, shared approaches and targeted national activity that helps councils collaborate more effectively and deliver reform at scale where collective action adds clear value.”

READ ACTION PLAN

If you would like the Action Plan in an alternative format, please get in touch at info@digitaloffice.scot