Pickles promises tough action against "slow-coach councils" on transparency

Less than half of local authorities have so far met the Communities Secretary’s demand to publish all expenditure over £500, it has emerged.

Eric Pickles has set a deadline of 31 January to meet the requirement, warning that “slow-coach councils” would face “tough questions from residents and tough action from him” should they fail to comply.

In a letter to councils in June 2010, the minister also called on authorities to publish details of senior pay, councillor expenses, minutes of meetings, and any useful frontline service data of interest to residents or entrepreneurs.

The government claims that councils need to show they have done “everything possible to reduce waste and duplication to save taxpayers' money before considering frontline services”.

A code of practice on transparency is due to be published shortly.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: "New Year is traditionally a time when the country sets its goals for the year ahead. In 2011 I would like to see every council make their New Year's resolution to cut more waste and fully open their books up to public scrutiny. I've started by calling for all expenditure over £500 to be put online by the end of the month but councils should not stop there.

"One hundred and forty four councils have shown they're not afraid to be transparent and I applaud them, but that's less than half, the slow-coach councils only have a month to go before serious questions will be asked about what they've got to hide. Openness is an essential part of a proper modern democracy. The taxpayer has a right to see where their money is being spent, to point out waste and decide local priorities."