Briefing Note: Scotland’s Refreshed Digital Strategy – What It Means for Local Authorities

A pragmatic vision for inclusion, economic growth and better public services 

The Scottish Government has published its refreshed Digital Strategy for Scotland: Our Vision (2025), setting out a clear ambition for digital to connect people to opportunities, drive economic growth, and deliver improved public services. 

While not radical, it represents a realistic and timely update that aligns with the immediate challenges facing local authorities. We are also delighted that our client Renfrewshire Council is the only local authority case study referenced in the strategy, highlighted for its targeted approach to social housing connectivity and community-led digital inclusion. 

Why This Matters  

The strategy signals important expectations for councils: 

• Invest in digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas and social housing, as the foundation for inclusion, economic participation and service transformation. 

• Target digital exclusion through place-based interventions that support low-income households, older adults, disabled people and remote communities. 

• Renfrewshire Council is the only case study highlighted in the strategy, recognised for its community-led digital inclusion and social housing connectivity work. 

• Strengthen digital, data and AI capability across leadership, workforce and delivery teams. 

• Modernise public services using data, analytics and AI to support prevention, early intervention, efficiency and better outcomes. 

• Develop long-term digital roadmaps aligned with forthcoming national delivery plans. 

• Work in partnership with academia, industry, social housing providers and communities to accelerate innovation. 

  
  

Opportunities for Digital Leaders 

• Drive growth with improved digital infrastructure: Connectivity remains a core economic enabler, supporting investment, jobs and innovation. 

• Use data and AI to transform public services: Councils can modernise service design, improve decision-making, and support early intervention. 

• Advance digital inclusion to tackle poverty: The strategy reinforces the need for devices, skills, confidence-building and community engagement. Renfrewshire’s place-based approach demonstrates what targeted investment can achieve. 

• Strengthen digital capability locally and regionally: Councils are encouraged to build capability in digital, data, analytics and responsible AI to support transformation. 

How Intelligens Consulting Can Help 

Our Digital Transformation Programme supports councils to translate policy into place-based action. Our pioneering Digital Investment Partnership Model helped secure over GBP 40 million of digital infrastructure investment for Renfrewshire Council, laying the foundation for improved social housing connectivity, inclusion and economic gain. 

We also provide an integrated set of services including digital maturity assessments, digital transformation roadmaps, and procurement and delivery support, all strengthened by partnerships with leading data, analytics and AI expertise.  

Contact us on info@intelligensconsulting.com to discuss how we can digitally transform your council.