E-government programme 'going well'
Kablenet.com
Published: 07 Dec 2004 14:10 GMT
Local authority IT chiefs are positive about the benefits of e-government but recognise that more work is still needed to increase the take up of e-services, according to a Society of IT Management (Socitm) survey issued on 7 December.
Socitm's IT Trends survey is upbeat about the UK's local e-government programme. Local IT managers expect new systems to improve public services and believe they are creating the appropriate infrastructure to provide "multi channel access" to services by the end of 2005, says the survey.
There are concerns, however, among a number of councils that the national e-government programme is "distorting local priorities" for service development. Generally, councils have welcomed the priority outcomes for e-services issued by Whitehall, but many councils have said that the agenda came too late, with some struggling to change course.
The survey also reports that:
- Increasingly, IT managers say they have a "major role" in helping shape service development and in delivering efficiencies.
- IT functions are said to be delivering better value for money than a year ago.
- Most councils (85%) have formal risk management approaches in place for IT and 10% say they are planning to introduce them.
Overall, spending is up by 10 percent to £2.7bn and staff numbers across local IT are set to rise with 900 new positions, says the survey.
Socitm president Chris Guest said: "The survey confirms anecdotal evidence that ICT managers are increasingly involved in the wider management of the councils, and that they are playing a key role is helping their organisations develop services, improve performance and plan investment. New job opportunities are being created and we are attracting intelligent and talented people interested in making our public services amongst the best in the world."
The survey is based on responses to a detailed questionnaire sent to heads of IT in the 467 local authorities of England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
A separate questionnaire was sent to directors of education, social services and some health trusts. Data provided by Socitm members has also been used.
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