Councils will spend a record amount on IT in 2008/9, according
to the Society of IT Managers (Socitm), which represents public
sector IT staff.
Its annual IT trends report predicts local authorities will
spend more than £3.2bn on IT in 2008/09, an increase of 5% on the
previous financial year.
But while security, privacy and access to information have leapt
up the agenda for councils, the report warned that IT is "too often
regarded as a utility rather than a means to transform public
services."
Councils could also deliver more radical changes in public
services with new technologies, the report said.
Staff salaries are the highest cost for IT departments. The
report also pointed out that although councils are spending more
than ever before, public sector IT departments still do not have as
many resources as commercial departments. The report said, "There
is a reluctance to borrow to finance IT schemes, suggesting that
the business cases are not compelling."
The report said IT managers are not sufficiently involved at the
top levels and are not influencing key aspects of service
development. It said, "The trend of the down-grading of the IT
function previously detected appears to be continuing."
And while information security is at the top of the agenda for
councils, the report still suggests a "fundamental review of
security and privacy issues" is needed. "Out-of-date management
practices represent a serious threat to organisations," it
said.
There are also continued problems with recruitment and retention
of IT staff.
Socitm President Richard Steel said, "The demand for IT
continues to outstrip supply this remains the big challenge for
heads of IT."