Date: 3 Aug 2026
Author: Steve Smith, Principal Consultant at FarrPoint
Across the UK, local authorities are exploring how the Internet of Things (IoT) can improve public services, support sustainability goals and make better use of constrained resources.
Cities, towns and rural areas are trialling a wide range of IoT projects, from environmental monitoring and flood management to smart parking, waste services and asset tracking. These trials provide valuable insight into what the technology can do, but pilots alone will not unlock the full value of IoT.
Many organisations naturally operate in silos, where communication is not as effective as it could be. As a result, local authorities may be unaware of similar IoT projects within their own organisation or in neighbouring authorities. Valuable lessons, good practice and technical knowledge can remain isolated, while opportunities for collaboration are missed and effort is duplicated.
Local authorities often procure end-to-end solutions for individual projects, including connectivity, sensors and data platforms. While this can meet immediate project needs, it can also create multiple standalone IoT solutions with different connectivity technologies and commercial models. A more joined-up, organisation-wide approach can help authorities make better use of scale, reduce duplication and build on existing connectivity arrangements where appropriate.
Good practice already exists. FarrPoint’s IoT mapping activity across (this will open in a new window)Tees Valley Combined Authority, for example, is helping to build a clearer picture of planned and current deployments, use cases and the stakeholders involved. This comprehensive view of IoT activity provides a stronger basis for collaboration, reduces duplicated effort and helps maximise the value of investment.
Many IoT initiatives stop, or fail to scale, once a trial ends. Proving that the technology works is important, but demonstrating that it delivers measurable benefits is essential for securing ongoing funding and scaling successfully. Too often, the economic, social and environmental benefits of IoT deployments are not fully assessed, making it difficult for decision-makers to justify further investment..
A good example is the benefits review of a six-month IoT trial completed by Bield Housing and Archangel. FarrPoint’s economics team identified and measured the benefits of the IoT monitoring solution and used the results to demonstrate a positive return on investment. Bield is now in the next phase of IoT deployment across its housing estate and is actively sharing learning with the wider sector.
Sensors can collect vast amounts of information, but data alone does not deliver value. Organisations need timely, relevant and actionable insight that helps them make informed decisions. This is why dashboards, visualisation tools and clear reporting processes are important components of successful IoT programmes.
Authorities can also miss opportunities to use the same data across different parts of the organisation. For example, air quality data used by transport teams for pollution monitoring could also help social care teams identify potential risks for service users with respiratory conditions.
These opportunities are easier to identify through a top-down IoT strategy that starts with operational processes and business challenges, rather than with technology solutions.
This approach also helps ensure the right operational processes, roles and responsibilities are in place to act on the insights generated by IoT projects. Without these foundations, even projects with clear potential benefits may fail to deliver on their promise.
To gain greater value from IoT, local authorities should consider the following actions:
FarrPoint helps clients turn fragmented IoT activity into a cohesive strategic approach, supported by robust benefits measurement and practical plans for delivery.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your current IoT landscape, ambitions and challenges, and explore how an integrated IoT strategy can help maximise benefits for your organisation and the communities you serve.
Connectivity is important. It drives business and society, bringing communities and commerce together. That's why we use our insight and experience to connect people and business.
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