Ever had that moment when someone whispers, “AI is going to take your job?” (Probably your tech-savvy nephew, right?). Well, what if I told you... AI is actually your new office buddy—ready to assist clerks, RFOs, and councillors in town and parish councils across the UK. Erica Farmer’s keynote at the SLCC National Conference showed us how to welcome this digital colleague and, spoiler alert, it’s not all doom and gloom.
AI is here to help us navigate the complexities of managing local councils—whether it’s drafting reports, scheduling meetings, or even creating content. And guess what? It’s the worst it’s ever going to be right now! From here on out, things will only get better. So, let’s dive into how AI is becoming your next trusted team member.
AI: Your New Work BFF (But Without the Gossip)
Yes, there's a lot of anxiety surrounding AI, especially among those working in local councils, whether you’re a town clerk, RFO, or councillor. Will AI steal jobs or transform them? Erica’s message was clear: AI isn’t here to replace you. Instead, think of AI as your new colleague, ready to handle the heavy lifting—so you can focus on the tasks that really matter for your council.
Erica asked the audience how they are currently using AI in their day-to-day work at town and parish councils:
- Content creation – Need minutes, agendas, or reports? AI can do it in a snap.
- Scheduling – Organising council meetings? Let AI handle the diary.
- Image creation – Perfect for posters or flyers promoting your next parish event.
- Interview prep – AI can help create interview questions or even draft responses.
- Training materials – Develop council staff training programs with AI’s help.
- Task delegation – AI can track tasks and send reminders to the right people (without the email chains).
Erica's suggestion of tasks.
But here’s the thing—people don’t trust AI yet. Erica pointed out how similar this feels to when calculators, personal computers, or even robots first entered the scene. At first, we all think it's a bit Terminator-ish, but once we understand how it works, AI becomes just another essential tool in the town or parish council's toolbox.
Fear Not, Terminator Fans: AI’s Not Here to End You
We’ve all seen those headlines about AI taking jobs or even bringing about some sci-fi disaster. But as Erica explained, the fear gap is real—we’re just scared of what we don’t fully understand. However, once you get past the Terminator image, you’ll see that AI can help transform local government, from supporting clerks in document management to streamlining councillor communications.
Think about the printing press. It once sparked fear because it meant we no longer needed to store everything in our heads. Now, AI is the new printing press, ready to carry all the burdens of council administration, freeing up clerks and RFOs to focus on community leadership.
Why You’re Already Using AI (And Didn’t Even Know It)
Believe it or not, you’ve already been using AI. Every time you Google something, that clever search algorithm is AI at work. Same with Amazon’s eerie ability to suggest exactly what you need. AI is already a silent partner in your daily life, slipping under the radar in everything from Office 365 to Zoom’s AI meeting assistants.
For clerks and councillors, this means you’ve already got the habits in place to integrate AI into your work—whether you’re writing a budget report, managing parish finances, or communicating with residents. Now, it’s about taking that relationship to the next level.
How to Build the Right AI Infrastructure in Your Council
Erica reminded us that while AI is powerful, it’s only effective if you build the right infrastructure around it. Imagine hiring a new colleague without giving them any instructions—disaster, right? AI is the same. You need to establish clear guidelines for when and where to use it in your council’s processes.
Start by building a foundation of:
- Policies – Define where and how AI should be used in council work.
- Procedures – Determine which tasks AI will handle and which remain for human oversight.
- Clear Communication – Treat AI like a colleague; give it specific instructions to get the best results.
Ready to Welcome AI to Your Council? Here's How to Start
Feeling ready to embrace AI in your council? Start by identifying the tasks that consume your time and could be delegated. Whether it’s writing minutes, setting up meetings, or managing council finances, AI is ready to assist clerks, RFOs, and councillors. Don’t be afraid to explore AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva, or even Office 365’s AI-powered features.
As Erica pointed out, AI isn’t here to replace clerks or RFOs; it’s here to become your most reliable colleague—one that doesn’t take sick days or complain about the coffee machine. The future of local government is digital, and AI is the revolution that will make your council more efficient, effective, and ready for whatever comes next.
So, what’s the next step? Start treating AI like the trusted team member it’s destined to be. Think of it as your new office BFF—one that’s eager to handle the admin while you focus on leading your community.
What task will you hand over to your AI colleague first? Let me know in the comments!
This blog post was created with the help of ChatGPT, your friendly AI colleague, who can assist clerks, RFOs, and councillors just as it did in drafting this content!