Councils to get more IT guidance

IT professionals in the public sector are set to recieve better training and support

Public sector IT professionals are to receive better training opportunities, improved support to deliver shared service centres, and new advice on how to comply with associated data sharing regulations, according to the government's latest IT modernisation plans.

The Transformational Government Implementation Plan was published last month and sets out priorities to mid-2007, including schemes to improve project management skills and develop best practice for the wider deployment of shared services.

In particular, the new report details plans to tackle IT skills gaps in the public sector, outlining strategies to develop a common approach to project management and launch a new IT Academy.

The report also says that staff will receive more advice to develop shared service centres capable of providing back-office functions to multiple councils.

A common infrastructure roadmap is due to be published in November detailing plans for more compatible government systems, and a report from the Office of Government Commerce on principles for shared services procurement is expected at the same time.

Concerns over data sharing regulations will also be tackled, with "new guidance that will set out what the rules are and where staff must exercise their judgement".

A recent survey of 400 local government professionals by e-government lobby group the Public Sector Forum found almost two-thirds support the idea of shared services.

However, Ian Dunmore of the Public Sector Forum said that though there is backing for shared services, the government's implementation plan fails to offer enough detail on how such services should be delivered. "The government seems to be good at launching [IT] initiatives, but much less so at delivering on them," he argued.

Meanwhile, John Sinnott, chief executive of Leicestershire County Council, said that many councils would have to improve their project management capabilities if they are to successfully deliver the government's reforms.

Sinnott added that other authorities might want to follow Leicestershire County Council in setting up a change-management team to improve project management skills. "I would certainly recommend it [to other councils]," he said. "We are seeing projects better managed and have more disciplined processes around how we select projects to greenlight."