Councils 'encouraged' to publish spending

Author: Local Government Chronicle - Jun 7, 2010

Councils will be “encouraged” to publish details of all spending over £500 in full and online by September, under plans outlined by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

The move is “part of wider action to bring about a revolution in town hall openness and accountability”, according to a Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) statement.

No sanctions will be taken against councils which do not comply, a move welcomed by councils, for now – but punitive measures in the future “have not been ruled in or out”, a DCLG spokesman told LGC.

Mr Pickles said that by September councils will be expected to make details of spending on all goods and services - from car hire to consultancy fees from storage to software costs - that fall above the £500 threshold available for the public to see and scrutinise.

He added: “All councils will be required to do this as a matter of course by the start of next year, as well as publishing invitations to tender and final contracts on projects over £500.”

The policy was originally flagged up in the coalition agreement, published last month. It said: “We will require all councils to publish items of spending above £500, and to publish contracts and tender documents in full.”

Local Government Association, Dame Margaret Eaton (Con), welcomed the proposals, stating that local government was absolutely committed to the highest standards of transparency.

Dame Margaret added: “The changes being outlined today reflect changes being made in central government to reveal previously hidden details of Whitehall spending and information.”

“Councils have been leading the way in giving taxpayers real, detailed and vital information about how their money is spent. All public bodies must be scrutinised for the spending decisions they make, and the LGA will work with councils to pioneer an approach of openness and accountability.”

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