Government Department Business Plans consultation

In February 2011, the LGA responded to the consultation on the proposed indicators of performance set out in the transparency sections of the Government Department Business Plans in November 2010.

Although the indicators are intended as a way for people to judge departmental performance, approximately 45 out of more than 200 indicators across departments are relevant to and impact on the work of councils.

In summary the LGA response:

• questions the purpose of the indicators, expressing concern that taken together with more detailed indicators (for example in proposed frameworks for adult social care, public health, and so on) there is a danger of reintroducing a performance regime for local government. The indicators should not be used to manage council performance.

• expresses concern about the potential new data reporting requirements involved as a result of new and changed indicators. This needs to be considered as part of the current activity to reduce the reporting burden through the Single Data List. Any new burdens should be properly resourced.

• notes that Departments' lack of effective consultation and engagement with the sector means that we have missed the opportunity to develop a shared approach to indicators and to align with those the sector itself wants to adopt and collect through the LGA's work with councils on data and transparency.

• notes the difficulty of providing detailed comments, due to the lack of information about individual indicators – but wherever possible offers detailed comments on those indicators impacting on councils.

Government Department Business Plans consultation – LGA response (PDF, 6 pages, 57KB)

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10 May 2012