15 February 2002
Internet-based body BestValueCommunity.com found that 54% of authorities met the target, and an overall average of 27% of council services are now accessible on the web.
The research analysed 280 of the Implementing E-government Statements that authorities had to submit to ministers last year. It demonstrated a clear relationship between the size of authorities, the resources allocated to the e-agenda and the progress made.
The report shows that between £0.5m and £14.1m is being spent per council on meeting the government's 2005 e-government deadline, with more money being spent by the larger authorities.
A huge range in the number of services already being offered on-line by councils was found: some councils had up to two-thirds available electronically, while others had almost nothing.
Many councils cited the same potential stumbling blocks to their e-agenda, which included insufficient staff and resources, and lack of leadership and commitment from senior management.
Peter McHugh, business development manager of Consilium Technologies, which owns BVC, said: 'Besides funding, it is clear that across local government, the scarcity of IT resources and skills is of major concern. It is vital that local government receives the backing it needs to ensure that e-government projects can be implemented completely and successfully.'
PFfeb2002