Nine in 10 councils publish spending online

The LGA disclosed that 276 councils have published spending data online, with a further 38 confirming that they plan to do so by the end of January. Communities and Local Government, which is leading the drive for councils to publish data on items of expenditure over £500 before the end of January 2011, has compiled a list of the authorities that have met the deadline. It remains unclear how CLG plans to deal with the outstanding 39 authorities that have not yet published their spending data or confirmed their intention to do so. The LGA said it is offering guidance notes to help councils provide information in the most "transparent, user-friendly way". The coalition government has also urged councils to publish information in an open spreadsheet format like CSV, making it easier for the public to re-use local authority data. Vice chairman of the LGA, David Sparks, said that a 28% cut in council budgets over the next four years has made authorities aware that they have to demonstrate that the money they spend "is going on the things their residents want and need the most". "The vast majority of councils have 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 area, he said. "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."