Solace Summit 2026: conversations, connections and the future of local government

There is real value in bringing local government leaders together: time to share experiences, explore difficult questions and build the relationships that help turn ideas into action.

That was what ICS.AI took away from Solace Summit 2026. Held on 21–22 October at Liverpool Experience Campus, the event brought colleagues from across local government together to consider the future of public service. Our Chief Revenue Officer, Aneeq Star, and Dwayne Johnson, our Chief Local Government Officer, joined the discussions, reconnecting with familiar faces and making new connections across the sector.

For our team, the highlight was the opportunity to spend meaningful time with council leaders. Those conversations offer something that is difficult to replicate remotely: space to listen, understand the context behind an organisation’s priorities and explore where support could make a difference.

Districts and boroughs were particularly prominent in our conversations this year. It was encouraging to connect with leaders considering their organisations’ next steps and to hear directly about the issues occupying their attention.

Local government reorganisation was a recurring topic, both in our discussions and across the Summit programme. Sessions explored the next steps for reform, the distinction between transition and transformation, and how leaders can turn long-term ambitions into delivery.

These are important conversations for ICS.AI. Our view is that organisational change creates an opportunity to look closely at how services work today, where staff need support and what could work better for residents. Building that understanding provides a stronger foundation for decisions about technology and transformation.

AI also featured explicitly in the wider programme, including a session examining AI, LGR and the delivery of high-quality services through change. Alongside discussions about workforce, leadership and cyber resilience, it placed technology within the broader responsibilities facing council leaders.

For us, that context matters. Successful AI adoption starts with a clear understanding of the organisation and the outcomes it wants to achieve. It needs leadership, staff involvement and human accountability, as well as the right technology.

This is the thinking behind our SMART: AI Assessment approach: helping councils identify where AI could add value and establish a practical basis for deciding what to do next. Whether the priority is improving access to services, supporting employees or planning wider transformation, the starting point is understanding the need.

The Summit also offered plenty of opportunities to continue conversations beyond the formal sessions. From the pre-event gathering at the Cavern Club to the evening dinner, Liverpool provided a memorable setting for meeting peers and strengthening relationships. Aneeq and Dwayne both came away positive about the connections made and the value of being part of the wider local government community.

Events like Solace matter because progress depends on people working together. Listening to different perspectives, sharing experience and maintaining an open conversation all help build the trust needed to take the next step.

Thank you to the Solace team, the speakers and everyone who took the time to speak with us in Liverpool. We look forward to continuing those conversations and helping councils explore what practical, responsible AI transformation could mean for their organisations and communities.

If you would like to explore where AI could support your council - get in touch with the ICS.AI team.

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