Resources for Councils
AI and procurement guidance for UK local authorities — covering public accountability, FOI, the Procurement Act 2023, and responsible AI use.
Local authorities operate in a uniquely scrutinised environment. Public accountability, Freedom of Information obligations, and strict procurement rules shape every decision. Introducing AI tools or running procurements requires more caution than in the private sector, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be significant.
Public Skills Hub gives council staff plain-English resources designed for the public sector context. Our procurement guides cover the Procurement Act 2023 in detail, including the Central Digital Platform, Competitive Flexible Procedure, and new transparency obligations. Our AI guides address the specific risks of using AI with citizen data and decision-making.
From adult social care to planning to revenues and benefits, AI is being explored across council functions. Use the AI Risk Assessment Starter template to evaluate any new tool, and the Workplace AI Policy template as a starting framework for your authority's approach.
Start here
- 1
Understand the Procurement Act 2023
Learn what changed from PCR 2015 — the Central Digital Platform, Competitive Flexible Procedure, and new exclusion grounds.
Read the guide - 2
Check the right procurement route
Use our Procurement Route Explainer to identify the correct buying route based on contract value and type.
Use the tool - 3
Build your AI governance
Adopt the Workplace AI Policy and AI Tool Approval Log templates to bring structure to AI adoption across the authority.
Get the template
Guides for Councils
Procurement Act 2023: What Changed
What the Procurement Act 2023 changed versus the old Public Contracts Regulations 2015, for both buyers and suppliers. Covers the Central Digital Platform, Competitive Flexible Procedure, new exclusion grounds, and Contract Performance Notices.
Procurement Basics for Beginners
A plain-English introduction to public procurement in the UK — what it is, why the rules exist, and how the buying process works from identifying a need to awarding a contract.
Plain-English Guide to Procurement Compliance Basics
A clear, jargon-free explanation of procurement compliance for UK public sector buyers and suppliers — covering the legal framework, key obligations, and the most common compliance risks to understand and avoid.
AI Risks Every Office Team Should Understand
A practical guide to the real risks of using AI tools at work — covering data privacy, inaccuracy, bias, and compliance — with guidance on how UK organisations can manage them sensibly.
AI and UK GDPR: Practical Guidance
Practical guidance for entering workplace data into AI tools under UK GDPR. What you can and cannot do, how to assess risk, and how to document your approach.
Social Value in UK Bids
How to write a credible social value response for UK public sector tenders. Covers PPN 06/20, the Social Value Model, and practical tips for scoring well.
Templates for Councils
Basic Workplace AI Policy
A straightforward AI policy template suitable for small to medium organisations adopting AI tools for the first time. Covers acceptable use, data handling, and staff responsibilities.
AI Risk Assessment Starter Sheet
A structured risk assessment template for evaluating the risks of introducing a new AI tool or AI-assisted process. Covers data, accuracy, bias, security, and operational risks.
AI Tool Approval Log
A running log template for tracking all AI tools that have been submitted for approval, reviewed, approved, or declined. Maintains a clear audit trail for governance purposes.
Procurement Document Review Checklist
A systematic checklist for reviewing tender documents before preparing a bid response. Helps suppliers identify mandatory requirements, evaluation criteria, risks, and submission rules.
Tools for Councils
Procurement Route Explainer
Enter your estimated contract value and type to get a plain-English explanation of which procurement route applies and what that means in practice. Understand the rules for direct award, competitive quotes, and formal tender processes without needing to read the regulations yourself.
Bid Compliance Checklist Tool
Run through the key compliance requirements for a public sector bid before you submit, checking that your response covers mandatory criteria, word limits, and required documents. Avoid disqualification by catching common errors before the deadline.
AI Readiness Checker
Answer a short set of questions about your team's current AI awareness, tool usage, and governance to get a personalised readiness score. Use the results to identify your biggest gaps and get a prioritised action plan.