For many years, the IT requirements for Parish and Town Councils were relatively straightforward. A basic website, a shared laptop, and a standard consumer email address were often enough to get the job done. However, as we move into 2026, the landscape for local government has shifted significantly.
Between the evolving mandates of the Practitioners’ Guide 2025 and the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Norfolk, the “digital” side of council business is no longer a peripheral concern—it is a core pillar of public trust and legal compliance.
The Move Toward Authority-Owned Domains
One of the most frequent conversations we have with Clerks across the county involves the move to .gov.uk domains. The latest guidance is clear: according to the Practitioners’ Guide 2025, councils must use a generic email hosted on an authority-owned domain, such as clerk@yourparishcouncil.gov.uk, rather than free providers like Gmail or Outlook.
While many councils have historically used platforms like Wix for their web presence, these services often lack the integrated, government-standard email infrastructure required to meet these new audit requirements. We are seeing a significant trend of Norfolk councils migrating toward managed, sector-specific environments that offer both professional identity and robust security.
Why “Reactive” IT is No Longer Enough
In our experience supporting a diverse range of local authorities—from small rural parishes to large, busy town councils—we’ve noticed that the most successful councils are moving away from reactive “break-fix” support.
Modern compliance requires a proactive approach. It isn’t just about having a computer that turns on; it’s about ensuring:
Cybersecurity Awareness: That every staff member is trained to recognise the latest cybersecurity threats.
Accessibility: That websites comply with the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 and meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards to ensure every resident can access public information.
Data Continuity: That council data is backed up in secure, encrypted UK-based datacentres, ensuring a clear audit trail for GDPR compliance.
A Trusted Local Partner for Norfolk
As a Norfolk Trusted Trader who is Trading Standards Approved, with over 20 years of experience, RLS Computer Services has been at the forefront of this digital transition. We were the first IT company to join the scheme and have been members since 2010. We understand that every council has a unique budget and set of challenges.
By working with multiple local authorities across the region, we have developed a deep understanding of the “Compliance Gap” that many Clerks face. Our role is to bridge that gap, providing the technical oversight that allows you to focus on serving your community.
Navigating the Change
If your council is currently reviewing its IT strategy or considering a move to a .gov.uk domain, remember that you don’t have to navigate these technical waters alone. There are support structures in place—including official Government discount schemes for first-time .gov.uk users—designed to make this transition as smooth and cost-effective as possible.
The goal for 2026 is simple: a secure, professional, and compliant digital presence that stands up to scrutiny and serves the people of Norfolk effectively.
Take Action for Your Council
Is your council ready to meet the 2025 standards? Don’t wait for your next audit to find the gaps in your digital security.
Get in touch with our King’s Lynn office today for a confidential discussion on how we can help you secure your official .gov.uk domain and move away from the limitations of generic hosting.
Email us: info@rlscomputers.co.uk
Call us: 01553 776937
Visit: www.rlscomputers.co.uk