Councils to hit IT modernisation targets
Most UK councils expect to reach Tony Blair's 'Modernising Government' 2005 deadline, according to a survey of 100 council IT personnel, in agreement with a similar study by KPMG
Over 75% of senior IT staff within UK councils believe their services will be online by 2005, while only 15% don’t anticipate being ready. Only 5% are unsure. Over 80% of respondents are confident of success in the Midlands and South regions, while the North scores only 68%, according to ICM Research, on behalf of Cognos.
Yesterday (Monday), a study by KPMG Consulting revealed that government targets for online delivery of public services are well on the way to being met with two out of three citizens wanting access to public services online.
Graham Walter, MD of Cognos UK, said he was impressed by the adherence to the 2005 deadline, but feels this date should not be the end of the hard work: ‘Now is the time to listen to the people that have made this happen and try to make their lives easier, so they can focus on new projects that will help build on their achievements beyond 2005.”
The survey found the main concern for council IT managers was a lack of staff to deal with their new IT infrastructure, while 27% desire a central finance system or database. Nearly 20% of respondents would like an improved data network.
Two-thirds of councils don’t store information centrally, yet 80% of respondents believe doing so would improve efficiency.