The plans would lead to a "fragmented and disconnected" network of information systems, the public sector Society of IT Management (Socitm) said in its response to the government's open public services white paper.
The government paper published for consultation in July set out a wide-ranging and radical blueprint for reform of public services under five key principles: increasing individual and local choice; decentralising power; opening services to a wider range of providers; ensuring fair access; and boosting accountability.
Section 7 details plans for "accelerating the digitisation of public services", including the development of a digital marketplace allowing accredited partners including charities, social enterprises, private companies and employee-led mutuals to compete to offer digital services, possibly following quality assurance of third-party applications.
In its response Socitm said that while it welcomes moves towards greater freedom for local government, it would prefer to see councils retaining centre stage in the provision of local services.
A new breed of "reforming councils" would become more entrepreneurial and flexible, said Socitm, developing a theme previously set out in 'Planting the flag', its response to the government's ICT strategy published earlier this year. Such councils will use technology to enable "fundamental changes to processes, organisational structures, job roles and cultures...This will be essential if citizens and neighbourhoods are to be empowered, rather than confronted by a plethora of fragmented and disconnected information systems run by mutuals and other new and existing service providers."
The response concludes: "The focus on enabling a digital marketplace... represents a potentially high risk strategy. There is little evidence to suggest that this would work."
Following the closure of consultation on Friday 30 September, the government has promised to publish a concrete action plain including legislative proposals in November. From April 2012, government departments will be asked to publish regular progress reports against the plan.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Dan Jellinek
Quelle/Source: UKauthorITy, 01.10.2011
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