NCVO responds to two data consultations

NCVO believes that local authorities should be transparent about their spending. We have responded to two recent consultations about this issue.

In its consultation, DCLG proposed to require local authorities to publish details of contracts and grants to the voluntary and community sector. Currently, this is only recommended as best practice under the ‘The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency’. NCVO supports DCLG’s plans to make this a legal requirement.

Meanwhile, LGA has proposed a common definition of ‘voluntary and community sector’ that local authorities can use when reporting their spending. Again, NCVO supports their proposals.

We believe that better data has the potential to:

• support better relationships between local government and the sector, by encouraging dialogue; 
• empower people to get involved in local decision-making; 
• make local authorities more accountable for their spending decisions; and
• lead to innovation and improvements in public services.

Read our response to the DCLG consultation (PDF 216 KB)

Read our response to the LGA consultation (PDF 206 KB)