LGA predicts 39 councils will fail to meet data deadline day

Up to 39 local authorities are likely to miss a deadline imposed by the Communities Secretary requiring them to publish details of spending in excess of £500, according to the Local Government Association.

The LGA said last Friday that – of the 353 authorities told to publish the information – some 276 councils had published the relevant details and that a further 38 would comply by the end of the month (today).

Cllr David Sparks, the LGA’s vice-chairman, said: “Councils have led the way in giving taxpayers detailed and transparent information about how their money is being spent, making their accounts even more easily accessible to public scrutiny.

“Local government is the most directly accountable part of the public sector and councils work hard to stay in close touch with residents to ensure they provide the best, most efficient services possible. With local authority budgets being cut by 28% over the next four years, councils are aware that they have to demonstrate that the money they spend is going on the things their residents want and need the most.”

Cllr Sparks added that the vast majority of councils had invested “considerable time and staff resource” to make their spending information available to their residents.

“This is an excellent effort by the sector at a time when councils are having to find efficiencies and savings in all areas,” he argued. “The LGA is supporting councils to pioneer this new level of openness and accountability and is working with local authorities to make sure the information is as transparent and user-friendly as possible.”

The LGA produced a guidance note to help councils provide information. It is available here.

Last week Communities Secretary Eric Pickles warned councils that he was giving them a week’s notice to comply. However, it was still unclear what sanctions if any there would be if a local authority failed to meet the deadline.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has yet to publish a draft code of practice, and has confirmed it plans to consult on its contents.

A DCLG spokeswoman suggested it was a “brave council” that failed to comply as it would have to explain this to its residents. She also said the code could eventually be made binding.