Hi Theo, I agree with all of this, and would also add points about talent/skill development and better pathways for hiring and procuring digital talent and tools.

With so many municipalities facing the same citizen needs while containing the generally same structures and processes, it seems like low-hanging fruit. The question I am left with is why has this not already happened? Given the obvious needs, opportunities and ready blueprint of GDS, and the existence of lots of organisations and initiatives that could facilitate this (beyond Local Digital that you mentioned I am thinking of Socitm, Local Government Association, TPX local, and those are just the ones I know), the fact that it has not happened in a large way makes me think there are key barriers to it. What do you think is getting in the way of us implementing these ideas at scale?