Council to put spending record online to increase savings

Local government increases transparency measures in the hope of making savings

Council's accounts to be put under the magnifying glass

Hammersmith & Fulham Council will go beyond recent government requirements on data transparency, and will publish all data on spending and assets.

In June, the government demanded that councils publish details of every item of expenditure over £500.

By the end of October, the council has said it will publish information on its total spend as recorded on its financial system. This will include additional details on members' allowances and expenses.

One driver for the move is the hope that the increase in transparency will shed light on excessive spending in areas that could be cut back.

"Most of the savings will come from cutting costs within the council as opposed to procurement, as this is where the majority of the spending lies," said Harry Phibbs, Cabinet member for community engagement.

"To get a full breakdown of where the money is going within individual departments is very important."

"The fact that employees will know their spending is published will make them hesitant [about overspending]. We are hoping for significant cultural change."

The batch of data will be made available in raw format, so it can be presented in any way the viewer wishes.

Procurement provider Spikes Cavell will handle the data and release it through its online transparency tool spotlightonspend.

"The work Spikes Cavell has done for us is absolutely crucial in making the data relevant and useful for the people who want to view it," said Phibbs.