Local authorities will struggle to implement secure data exchanges before a government-imposed March 2009 deadline, and many will be forced to apply for exemptions, say local government chief information officers (CIOs).

Government Connect, a £33m secure network for local authorities, will allow secure email and data sharing across government and between councils.

But security requirements set out in the programme’s “code of connection” are proving to be a major hurdle.

“There is no way that the majority of local authorities have the capacity or funding to be able to comply with the code of connection unless central government takes a more pragmatic approach,” said one local authority senior IT manager.

“The majority have not started their physical implementation of Government Connect services, although they may have signed up. So ubiquitous access is miles away and loads of councils will have to apply for exemptions.”

Questions have also been raised over the existence of the necessary information security policies and training at council level.

All authorities in England and Wales must implement a Government Connect exchange (GCSx) infrastructure by 31 March 2009.

Those expecting to fail must apply for a six-month exemption to continue to access data on social security cases from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

“It is important we have a single secure national framework for case data transfer, and the Local Government CIO Council is supportive of GCSx intentions. But achieving 100 per cent connectivity by 31 March will be a tall order,” said Local Government CIO Council chairman Jos Creese.

Glyn Evans, a corporate director at Birmingham City Council, said: “It is a fraught project, and not necessarily what was initially set out to be delivered.”

On 1 April, the government announced £33m funding for Government Connect and designated GCSx as the preferred method of communication and secure exchange of data with local authorities in England and Wales.

“Of 410 councils in England and Wales, fewer than 50 are still to request a connection,” said a spokeswoman for the DWP.

“Only 15 councils are as yet compliant with the code of connection, but we are confident councils requesting exemptions will be a minority and that 100 per cent will be connected within the six-month exemption period.”