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The biggest challenges facing councils in 2026 (And How Leading Councils Are Solving Them)
Local authorities across the UK and Ireland are under increasing pressure to deliver more with less. Budgets are tightening, workforces are more dispersed, and expectations continue to rise. Yet despite this, many councils are still relying on communication methods that weren’t designed for today’s reality.
1. Councils struggle to reaching deskless employees
A large percentage of council employees don’t sit behind desks.
- Waste collection teams
- Housing officers
- Maintenance crews
- Social care workers
- Environmental services
Yet many councils still rely heavily on:
- Intranets
- Physical noticeboards
Traditional channels like email and intranets simply don’t reach these teams effectively.
The result:
Frontline teams often receive information late, or not at all.
This creates:
- Inconsistent service delivery
- Frustration and disengagement
- Increased operational risk
What’s changing:
Forward-thinking councils are shifting to mobile-first communication strategies, ensuring every employee, regardless of role or location, receives critical updates at the same time.
Real example:
Councils like Meath County Council have already addressed this by introducing mobile-first communication with Thrive, ensuring indoor and outdoor teams receive updates at the same time.
Meath County Council recognised early on that outdoor and indoor staff were operating in silos. By introducing a mobile-first communication approach, they ensured all employees received updates simultaneously, regardless of location.
