Local authority IT services have been criticised in the first wave
of government Best Value inspections, but there are good prospects
for improvement, according to an analysis of the first wave of
inspectors' reports.
The Society of Information Technology Management (Socitm), which
carried out the survey, noted that of the first 76 Best Value
assessments carried out up to 31 July, more than 70% were graded
poor or fair. None received the top grade of excellent.
These results are more to do with council chief executives, senior
officers and historic under investment in IT than with IT
departments themselves, according to Socitm, which represents local
authority IT directors.
"ICT managers will not be satisfied with the overall assessment of
council information services," John Serle, chairman of the Socitm
Best Value Group, commented.
"This has more to do with the attitude of councils rather than the
effectiveness of the ICT department to run a tight ship. Local
government, for a whole range of reasons, has in the past not
invested well in ICT," he continued.
In a second key finding, the survey revealed that 68% of the Best
Value assessments suggested the service would probably or
definitely improve.
Martin Greenwood, programme manager for Socitm Insight, which
produced the report, said the reports showed that many local
authority IT departments were doing innovative work but, he added,
it takes time to reshape organisations.
A common theme through the Best Value reviews Greenwood added was
the need to align IT strategy with the authority's strategic
aims.
"Local authorities are no different in this than other
organisations," he said. "Improvement requires a lead from the top
of the organisation - chief executives and elected members. The
head of ICT has only got so much influence."
Other common areas for improvement identified by the Best Value
reports and highlighted by Socitm, include:
- The organisation's understanding of the power and opportunity
offered by IT
- Communication between technical staff and front line service
providers
- Balancing user demands for service with the IT service's
ability to deliver
- Appropriate provision of user training.
With local authority IT departments likely to face a tougher
inspection regime in future, John Serle noted. "It is probable that
weaknesses in service provision will require changes in culture,
management and information systems."