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Story URL: http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,3800010403,39166280,00.htm

Get more tech-savvy, councillors told
Or more projects will fail...

By Tim Ferguson

Published: Friday 09 March 2007

Despite recent investment in local IT services, councillors need to be more informed about technology, according to the Society of IT Management (Socitm), an industry body for public sector IT workers.

To be successful, the group said public service IT projects need the involvement of elected members who are knowledgeable about technology and keen on its use.

Martin Greenwood, programme manager with the group's research arm, Socitm Insight, said currently local politicians' IT knowledge is "patchy".

He added: "There are still too many that don't [know enough]."

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Greenwood said improved technical knowledge would lead to greater success for local government IT projects in the long term - and would mean local councillors would realise the importance of training in making projects work.

Socitm highlights several benefits for councillors improving their IT skills, including the ability to better manage their time, keep in touch with local issues and engage with local people.

The group suggests the best way to understand tech and what it's capable of is for local politicians to increase their day-to-day use of it.