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Councils are basing important decisions on unreliable information, the Audit Commission has warned. A review by the watchdog highlighted the councillor complaints that they received expressing concern lengthy reports often did not contain the information they needed. Less than 5% of councils had excellent quality data. The report, Is there something I should know?, warned the tough financial times ahead meant better decisions would be vital to deliver efficiency. Steve Bundred, Audit Commission chief executive, said: ‘We've been concerned for some time about the quality of data that informs decision-making. This really matters. ‘Information may not sound like an exciting topic, but right now, too many councils risk making poor decisions because their information is inaccurate, irrelevant or incomplete.' He added: ‘The solutions are not difficult or expensive. The councils getting this right are not spending much more on analytical research.' The right culture and devoting officer time to analysis were key to solving the problem. Leeds City Council's targeted renewal of streetlighting which led to a 20% crime reduction is singled out for praise. But, Mr Bundred added: ‘The whole of the public sector needs to wake up to the need to have better data.' It is a complex issue, said the LGA. Councils have 188 national indicators to collect and Whitehall is viewed as slow in putting information into the Government's data hub. The LGA claimed the watchdog had a ‘glass half-empty' view as 60% of councils had been graded good or excellent for data quality. A spokesman said: ‘Sharing best practice helps councils improve, but it is slightly disappointing that the report doesn't reflect the progress councils have made.'

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WHITEHALL

Decisions 'based on poor information'

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