Main News Desk

Local authority spending transparency spells the end for efficiency targets ‘black art’

Consilium Technologies urges local government to set out true costs of new working practices to central government and citizens

October 31, 2007

Demonstrating the true cost of efficiency strategies must be a key focus for local authorities over the next twelve months.

According to Consilium Technologies, local authorities will be subjected to increasingly stringent reporting of the costs involved with new working processes designed to drive efficiencies. This will dispel the ‘black art’ of hitting efficiency targets set out by central government, which often do not reveal the true costs incurred by new processes and implementations.

The recent Corporate Spending Review brought a rise in budget for the Department of Communities and Local Government, but will also demand more information on the true costs of new working practices. Local authorities need to put strategies in place now, which not only deliver improved services to citizens but also drive long-term, sustainable savings in terms of costs and staff time.

Strategies for communicating the cost of new working practices and demonstrating the tangible benefits for employees and citizens was the key theme at Consilium Technologies’ annual user conference, held last week. The event, attended by 95 local government and housing association IT directors, included presentations from Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation and South Somerset Works on their own experiences in driving efficiencies.

Executive quote

“Councils and housing authorities continue to face tough efficiency targets, however it’s critical that any processes put in place now are sustainable for the long haul,” said Colin Reid, chief executive, Consilium Technologies. “Quick fix strategies may deliver the efficiencies needed to meet the current targets, however the cost of implementation may well be at the detriment to long-term efficiencies. It is imperative that local authorities ensure that their efficiency plans are absolutely transparent, not only to provide central government with the statistics they need, but also to the citizens they are serving.”

About the company

Consilium Technologies has over 20 years’ experience in providing innovative IT solutions specifically for local authorities and housing associations. It provides a full portfolio of software solutions and supporting IT services, designed to deliver improved customer service more efficiently.

The company is focused on the provision of advanced mobile working solutions for the public sector. Consilium’s TotalMobile applications for Windows Mobile are tailored for field service and customer facing roles, supporting service delivery in areas such as housing repairs, incident reporting, environmental services and home welfare visits. Staff can upload and complete job data on the spot, enabling teams to complete more visits per day, eliminate excessive admin at the back office and reduce paper and fuel usage.

Current customers include Edinburgh City Council, South Somerset Works, Bradford Community Housing Trust and London Borough of Newham.

Consilium Technologies is based in Antrim, Northern Ireland and employs 90 staff across the UK.

Contact details

For further press information and photography please contact:
Patrick Hussey at LEWIS, the PR agency
Tel: +44 (0) 161 601 7740 Fax: +44 (0)161 601 7741
Email: patrickh@lewispr.com
Website: www.lewispr.com

Technorati tags: consilium | local authorities | spending |

Bookmarklets:

Recent Press Releases

2010 Archive

2009 Archive

2008 Archive

2007 Archive

Jump to:

Main News Desk

Local authority spending transparency spells the end for efficiency targets ‘black art’

Executive quote

About the company

Contact details