Phil Rumens
@rumens.uk
Principal Technologist for GDS Local. Part of @LocalGovDigital.
Advocate of technology enabled user centred design.
o7 CMDR
Advocate of technology enabled user centred design.
o7 CMDR
This week:
▶️ Went to Taunton to talk with officers at Somerset Council.
▶️ Presented at the Technical Design Council; spoke about the pressures on councils and some of the positive things happening with technology.
▶️ Took part in a GOV.UK App workshop for #localgov.
▶️ Went to Taunton to talk with officers at Somerset Council.
▶️ Presented at the Technical Design Council; spoke about the pressures on councils and some of the positive things happening with technology.
▶️ Took part in a GOV.UK App workshop for #localgov.
October 18, 2025 at 7:52 AM
This week:
▶️ Went to Taunton to talk with officers at Somerset Council.
▶️ Presented at the Technical Design Council; spoke about the pressures on councils and some of the positive things happening with technology.
▶️ Took part in a GOV.UK App workshop for #localgov.
▶️ Went to Taunton to talk with officers at Somerset Council.
▶️ Presented at the Technical Design Council; spoke about the pressures on councils and some of the positive things happening with technology.
▶️ Took part in a GOV.UK App workshop for #localgov.
Hello Birmingham.Just passing through on my way to Sheffield today.
September 30, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Hello Birmingham.Just passing through on my way to Sheffield today.
Do you notice anything new on this list of teams at the Government Digital Service stand at #DigiGovExpo today?
September 24, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Do you notice anything new on this list of teams at the Government Digital Service stand at #DigiGovExpo today?
My most prolific chilli plant this year is also one that's been outside since May. Definitely a result of the hot weather this year, and perhaps a sign of things to come.
July 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM
My most prolific chilli plant this year is also one that's been outside since May. Definitely a result of the hot weather this year, and perhaps a sign of things to come.
Interesting to see the GOV.UK App already has a your local services section, albeit just a link to council websites at the moment.
July 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Interesting to see the GOV.UK App already has a your local services section, albeit just a link to council websites at the moment.
I was delighted to be able to able to give evidence in Parliament today to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's inquiry on the Digital centre of government.
I hope I represented #localgov #digital well. You can watch and make your own mind up here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
I hope I represented #localgov #digital well. You can watch and make your own mind up here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
May 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I was delighted to be able to able to give evidence in Parliament today to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's inquiry on the Digital centre of government.
I hope I represented #localgov #digital well. You can watch and make your own mind up here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
I hope I represented #localgov #digital well. You can watch and make your own mind up here: parliamentlive.tv/event/index/...
Really enjoyed the Are you Listening Festival in Reading yesterday.
A huge variety of acts at venues across the town, which were really busy (but not uncomfortably so) even at 4pm.
A huge variety of acts at venues across the town, which were really busy (but not uncomfortably so) even at 4pm.
May 11, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Really enjoyed the Are you Listening Festival in Reading yesterday.
A huge variety of acts at venues across the town, which were really busy (but not uncomfortably so) even at 4pm.
A huge variety of acts at venues across the town, which were really busy (but not uncomfortably so) even at 4pm.
Great win for Newbury RFC against Chichester RFC yesterday to avoid relegation, in the final league match of the season.
What brilliant weather too; the contrast of being huddled under the shelter of the clubhouse from the wind and rain just a few weeks ago is amazing.
What brilliant weather too; the contrast of being huddled under the shelter of the clubhouse from the wind and rain just a few weeks ago is amazing.
April 6, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Great win for Newbury RFC against Chichester RFC yesterday to avoid relegation, in the final league match of the season.
What brilliant weather too; the contrast of being huddled under the shelter of the clubhouse from the wind and rain just a few weeks ago is amazing.
What brilliant weather too; the contrast of being huddled under the shelter of the clubhouse from the wind and rain just a few weeks ago is amazing.
Post your favourite Doctor Who. Wrong Answers Only
March 18, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Post your favourite Doctor Who. Wrong Answers Only
An interesting proposal to boost the proportion of #digital roles in the UK Civil Service from 5% to 10%.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's worth noting that the State of Digital Government Review published in January estimated digital roles in #localgov make up around 2% of staff.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's worth noting that the State of Digital Government Review published in January estimated digital roles in #localgov make up around 2% of staff.
March 9, 2025 at 4:48 PM
An interesting proposal to boost the proportion of #digital roles in the UK Civil Service from 5% to 10%.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's worth noting that the State of Digital Government Review published in January estimated digital roles in #localgov make up around 2% of staff.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
It's worth noting that the State of Digital Government Review published in January estimated digital roles in #localgov make up around 2% of staff.
The first week of spring coincided with the best weather of the year so far.
I took the opportunity to dig in compost and manure to my small vegetable patch, ready for some of the seedlings which are already growing.
I took the opportunity to dig in compost and manure to my small vegetable patch, ready for some of the seedlings which are already growing.
March 2, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The first week of spring coincided with the best weather of the year so far.
I took the opportunity to dig in compost and manure to my small vegetable patch, ready for some of the seedlings which are already growing.
I took the opportunity to dig in compost and manure to my small vegetable patch, ready for some of the seedlings which are already growing.
This is either an accidental or awful pun.
Either way, I like it.
Either way, I like it.
February 16, 2025 at 11:03 AM
This is either an accidental or awful pun.
Either way, I like it.
Either way, I like it.
First chilli plant seedlings of 2025.
January 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
First chilli plant seedlings of 2025.
Looks good. The only thing I might add is the ability to create threads, and therefore have conversations using previous interactions as the context to respond to the next question.
I'm being super fussy though.
I'm being super fussy though.
January 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Looks good. The only thing I might add is the ability to create threads, and therefore have conversations using previous interactions as the context to respond to the next question.
I'm being super fussy though.
I'm being super fussy though.
Should there be a loyalty scheme, so if you visit the beach when it's 5°, you get first dibs on a good spot when it's 25°?
January 2, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Should there be a loyalty scheme, so if you visit the beach when it's 5°, you get first dibs on a good spot when it's 25°?
I had some great gifts this year, but amongst my favourite is this crocheted Alligator Loki variant.
December 25, 2024 at 7:04 PM
I had some great gifts this year, but amongst my favourite is this crocheted Alligator Loki variant.
Lack of time or knowledge can't be claimed as disproportionate burden to not meet the accessibility regulations.
This is great to see and emphasises there should only be a very limited set of circumstances to opt-out of accessibility.
HT to my colleague Elena for highlighting this.
This is great to see and emphasises there should only be a very limited set of circumstances to opt-out of accessibility.
HT to my colleague Elena for highlighting this.
December 19, 2024 at 2:59 PM
Lack of time or knowledge can't be claimed as disproportionate burden to not meet the accessibility regulations.
This is great to see and emphasises there should only be a very limited set of circumstances to opt-out of accessibility.
HT to my colleague Elena for highlighting this.
This is great to see and emphasises there should only be a very limited set of circumstances to opt-out of accessibility.
HT to my colleague Elena for highlighting this.
I'll bring the paint, you bring the engine oil.
Seriously though, bringing recycling facilities to neighbourhoods is a great idea. The easier you make something to do, the more likely people are to do it.
I took a picture of this mobile recycling lorry on holiday; yes I really am that sad.
Seriously though, bringing recycling facilities to neighbourhoods is a great idea. The easier you make something to do, the more likely people are to do it.
I took a picture of this mobile recycling lorry on holiday; yes I really am that sad.
November 29, 2024 at 8:35 PM
I'll bring the paint, you bring the engine oil.
Seriously though, bringing recycling facilities to neighbourhoods is a great idea. The easier you make something to do, the more likely people are to do it.
I took a picture of this mobile recycling lorry on holiday; yes I really am that sad.
Seriously though, bringing recycling facilities to neighbourhoods is a great idea. The easier you make something to do, the more likely people are to do it.
I took a picture of this mobile recycling lorry on holiday; yes I really am that sad.
November 19, 2024 at 10:20 AM
Is this anything to do with you @radiobeartime.com? 😉
November 12, 2024 at 5:45 PM
Is this anything to do with you @radiobeartime.com? 😉
I've seen Copilot and Gemini shortcuts appear on the taskbar on my Windows and ChromeOS devices respectively in the past 48 hours.
Has anyone else noticed this and is it coincidence?
Has anyone else noticed this and is it coincidence?
October 12, 2024 at 10:04 AM
I've seen Copilot and Gemini shortcuts appear on the taskbar on my Windows and ChromeOS devices respectively in the past 48 hours.
Has anyone else noticed this and is it coincidence?
Has anyone else noticed this and is it coincidence?
New reading material.
Would anyone like to give me a no spoilers review?
Would anyone like to give me a no spoilers review?
October 5, 2024 at 12:31 PM
New reading material.
Would anyone like to give me a no spoilers review?
Would anyone like to give me a no spoilers review?
It's good, but service design needs to take a many channels, one service approach to digital services.
We need better integrated forms, but we also need services to be accessed by voice and other channels.
All channels need to take account of the needs and circumstances of the user too.
We need better integrated forms, but we also need services to be accessed by voice and other channels.
All channels need to take account of the needs and circumstances of the user too.
October 5, 2024 at 7:26 AM
It's good, but service design needs to take a many channels, one service approach to digital services.
We need better integrated forms, but we also need services to be accessed by voice and other channels.
All channels need to take account of the needs and circumstances of the user too.
We need better integrated forms, but we also need services to be accessed by voice and other channels.
All channels need to take account of the needs and circumstances of the user too.
Presented an overview of our work towards Open Digital Planning to some planning folk today, and flew over a virtual Folkestone on a magic VR carpet.
Also sat through the now obligatory "This is how can AI can be used in [insert service]" presentation.
Also sat through the now obligatory "This is how can AI can be used in [insert service]" presentation.
October 1, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Presented an overview of our work towards Open Digital Planning to some planning folk today, and flew over a virtual Folkestone on a magic VR carpet.
Also sat through the now obligatory "This is how can AI can be used in [insert service]" presentation.
Also sat through the now obligatory "This is how can AI can be used in [insert service]" presentation.
