Partner Article

Sharing between local authorities a danger

A future of sharing is fast becoming a reality for many of the UK’s local authorities; the vast majority (96%) are already sharing different services with neighbouring authorities. These services range from back office functions, ICT and customer services to social care, public health and housing benefits. Figures provided by councils to the Local Government Association suggest that shared services contributed to savings of half a billion pounds for UK taxpayers in 2016[i]. However, research from leading storage and information management services company Iron Mountain® (NYSE: IRM) shows that many frontline information management professionals question some of the benefits of sharing services, with almost half (49%) of those surveyed highlighting concerns about the possible loss of information as it is moved between locations.[ii]

Approaching half (44%) of Records and Information Management (RIM) staff welcome the greater efficiencies and best practice that shared services can bring, but many doubt whether the move can deliver other key benefits such as reducing workloads, improving performance, facilitating mutual support between professionals or effectively integrating information belonging to different authorities.

While around one in three of the information management professionals surveyed believe such benefits are achievable, senior figures within local authorities are more optimistic. For example, 34% of RIMs cite a reduction in work and record duplication as a benefit, compared to 44% of business leaders[iii]. Similar results are seen for the benefits of overall performance improvement (36% RIMs/41% business leaders), mutual support (35% RIMs/41% business leaders) and integrated information (34% RIMs/39% business leaders).

Almost half (49%) of RIMs and a third (33%) of business leaders surveyed in the Iron Mountain study believe that having to move information between organisations will place it at greater risk of loss or exposure. Close to one in three in both groups (28% RIMs/30% business leaders) agree that different approaches to information security could expose sensitive information to greater risk.

Commenting on the research, Phil Greenwood, Director at Iron Mountain said, “Our research shows that the drive towards sharing services is widely accepted. However, there’s a difference of opinion between those responsible for managing information across the UKs local authorities and the senior business leaders in their organisations. The information managers are more sceptical about results and raise serious concerns about potential information loss and exposure. To address these concerns and ensure that the security of personal information isn’t compromised, senior managers and records and information professionals will need to work closely together to identify best practice and make sure it is widely deployed.”

For more information on the information management challenges facing the UK’s local authorities, Iron Mountain has published a report of the survey results.

[i] http://www.local.gov.uk/

[ii] The research was conducted by Coleman Parks on behalf of Iron Mountain in January 2016. 205 interviews took place, split evenly between Records Managers and Lines of Business staff at local authorities in the UK. Lines of business staff included those with the following job titles: Director of ICT, CIO, Finance Director, Director of Strategy and Transformation, Head of Quality Assurances and Commercial Director.

[iii] Business leaders refers to LOBs (Lines of Business staff), including the following job titles: Director of ICT, CIO, Finance Director, Director of Strategy and Transformation, Head of Quality Assurances and Commercial Director.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Iron Mountain .