Laura Sharman 26 March 2014

Councils prioritising shared services to cut costs, survey finds

The shift towards shared services is the most popular strategy for saving money, according to a survey of local government managers.

New Ways of ICT Working, conducted by UNIT4 Business Software, reveals that 63% of managers said shared services was a priority for reducing costs, with 83% also saying they were important or very important for improving services.

More than half the respondents (53%) are already working for a authority that participates in a shared service arrangement, with a further 25% in the process of implementing one.

Of those surveyed, only 29% were prioritising frameworks such as G-Cloud to help balance budgets. While 37% said they already use cloud computing services, 16% said they had no plans to deploy cloud services in the next 12 months. Nearly half (47%) also said they no plans to use the G-Cloud, the Government’s framework for procuring cloud-based services.

‘Some of the findings around cloud were particularly surprising,” said Anwen Robinson, managing director of UNIT4 Business Software Ltd. ‘Without large ongoing capital costs of on-premises software deployments, we see cloud as an advantage during a time of swingeing cuts.

‘We work closely with prospects and partners on Return on Investment and our calculations invariably point to cloud as the most efficient deployment option. I believe vendors and the Government must continue to create awareness and interest in the benefits of a cloud-first policy.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Purchase to Pay Administrator (Fixed Term) - WMF2122e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£25,584 - £25,992
We are looking for an Administrator to join our Purchase to Pay and Accounts Receivables team Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Social Worker - WMF2123e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£41,511 - £42,708
We’re looking for passionate social workers to join our team in Kendal following a recent reshape of our services. Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Environmental Health Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£38,626 - £41,511
We are looking to appoint a full time Environmental Health Officer within the Environmental Protection and Community Safety Department. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Trainee Graduate Accountant

Wyre Borough Council
£25,992 - £37,938
Are you looking to kickstart your career in Finance? Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Environmental Services Support Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£25,183 - £25,584
We are seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Environmental Services Support Officer to join our Environment Directorate. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner