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Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept for local governments—it’s becoming a vital part of day-to-day operations. In Stockton Council, AI systems are already revolutionizing how employees handle administrative tasks, significantly easing workloads and enabling better service delivery. As part of a UK-wide pilot involving 25 councils, Stockton is exploring how AI tools like Minute and Magic Notes can streamline meetings, reporting, and internal communications. While the potential is immense, the use of AI in public institutions also raises important questions around job security, training, and the ethics of automation.
I. How AI is Being Used in Stockton Council
1. Automating Meetings and Admin Work
Stockton Council has introduced two AI systems—Minute and Magic Notes—to assist in managing meetings. These tools can record, transcribe, and summarize discussions involving up to 40 participants. Templates such as action plans and internal reports are also generated automatically, eliminating the need for manual drafting. The immediate benefit has been a significant reduction in the time spent on routine administrative tasks.
Corinne Moore, Stockton Council’s digital and website development manager, provided a concrete example: in public protection, where meetings are often lengthy and detailed, transcription used to take up to three hours. With AI in place, that task is now completed in just 30 minutes. This means staff can allocate more of their time to public-facing roles instead of being bogged down by paperwork.
2. Enhancing Efficiency, Not Cutting Costs
According to Paul Rowling, the council’s deputy leader, AI is being implemented not as a cost-cutting tool but as a way to enhance how employees do their jobs. He emphasized that the feedback from staff has been overwhelmingly positive. “It is fundamentally changing their day-to-day job,” he said. “They can spend much less time doing admin and much more time delivering those public services that our staff are dedicated to.”
II. The Impact on Staff and Working Culture
1. Reducing Burnout, Increasing Output
By offloading repetitive tasks onto intelligent systems, Stockton’s employees are experiencing a lighter workload and more focused responsibilities. This not only boosts efficiency but also helps reduce the stress and burnout commonly associated with excessive administrative duties in the public sector. Time that once went into tedious meeting summaries can now be invested in improving the quality of service delivery.
2. Job Security and the Fear of Automation
While the council leadership is promoting AI as a tool for improvement, concerns persist—especially among unions and public sector employees. Kate Jones, AI policy lead at Unison, acknowledged the positive effects but voiced caution. “There are definitely workers out there who are really concerned for their jobs,” she said. She stressed the importance of ensuring that AI rollouts are accompanied by proper planning for reskilling and redeployment.
3. Commitment to Workforce Development
In response to such concerns, Deputy Leader Rowling made it clear that Stockton Council does not see AI as a way to cut jobs. Instead, he described it as a method for “upskilling staff” to ensure they remain valuable and adaptable as technology continues to evolve. The council’s approach is to prepare its workforce for the future rather than displace them.
III. A Model for Other Councils to Follow?
1. Encouragement from Unions
Despite the worries around job losses, Unison has encouraged local authorities to explore AI’s potential when implemented with ethical boundaries. The union supports the use of such technologies as long as they serve to enhance the working conditions of public sector staff and do not become tools for downsizing.
Kate Jones reiterated that AI, if used responsibly, could be a positive force in government operations. But she urged councils to be transparent and strategic in deployment, including developing policies that prioritize human oversight and fair use.
2. National Implications of the Pilot
Stockton is one of just 25 councils across the UK participating in this pioneering initiative. Its success could set a precedent for wider AI adoption in the public sector. If other councils replicate Stockton’s careful balance between efficiency and employee development, the UK may see a fundamental shift in how local government functions—making services faster, more accurate, and less dependent on manual processes.
3. Ethical Considerations Moving Forward
As AI becomes more integrated into public institutions, questions around transparency, bias, and accountability must also be addressed. Systems that record and summarize human conversations must adhere to data protection regulations and ethical standards. Councils must also ensure that AI remains a supportive tool, not a controlling force, within human-centered services.
Conclusion
The experience at Stockton Council offers a glimpse into a future where artificial intelligence plays a supportive, rather than disruptive, role in public service. With AI tools like Minute and Magic Notes, the council has managed to reduce admin workloads, boost productivity, and free up staff time for core service delivery. While concerns around job security are valid and should not be dismissed, Stockton’s leadership insists that their approach is about enhancement and adaptation, not elimination. As more local authorities consider implementing similar technologies, the key will lie in striking a balance—leveraging innovation to improve services while safeguarding the rights, roles, and dignity of public sector workers.
