WIREDGOV

Councils are basing important decisions on unreliable information, an Audit Commission study has found.

The report Is there something I should know? (published 30 July) finds councillors complaining that they receive lengthy reports that don’t contain the information they need. Less than 5 per cent of councils have excellent quality data and 65 per cent face problems sharing data externally.

With tough financial times ahead, councils say they know they need to act now to improve the quality of their data. Nine out of ten councils say they think good quality information is a top priority.

Steve Bundred, Chief Executive of the Audit Commission, said:
'Giving decision makers the information they need will help councils make savings while improving services. This is all the more critical in recessionary times and some solutions have little or no extra cost.'

'It's important that councils have the right information now because many of the decisions that they are going to make in the years ahead will be harder than usual. Information may not sound like an exciting topic, but right now too many councils risk making poor decisions because their information is inaccurate, irrelevant or incomplete.

The report considers whether councils are equipped to improve their information. It also says that decision makers must be more demanding about getting the information they need to make decisions.

The report also finds that almost 80 per cent of councils say that a lack of in-depth analysis is a major problem. But their analysts spend around twice as much time on producing routine reports as on value-added analysis.

Previous Audit Commission studies have consistently shown that councils have failed to capitalise on the power of information. Most recently, one report said that only 20 per cent of finance directors had all the information to manage their councils’ estates properly.

The Audit Commission is providing tools to help councillors demand better information, and to help councils improve the information they provide to decision makers. It will also assess councils on the information available to support decision making in use of resources as part of the Comprehensive Area Assessment, which publishes this December.

Notes for editors

• The Audit Commission is an independent watchdog, driving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local public services to deliver better outcomes for everyone.
• Our work across local government, health, housing, community safety and fire and rescue services means that we have a unique perspective. We promote value for money for taxpayers, auditing the £200 billion spent by 11,000 local public bodies.
• As a force for improvement, we work in partnership to assess local public services and make practical recommendations for promoting a better quality of life for local people.
• Further details about the role of the Audit Commission can be obtained from www.audit-commission.gov.uk.

For further information please contact

Nigel Watts
Media Relations Manager
020 7166 2129 or 07813 315538
nigel-watts@audit-commission.gov.uk