Members Pack
Useful Information for Local Authority Elected Members
This page provides reference materials that we feel will be of use to local councillors interested and/or actively involved in their authority’s service improvement initiatives, local partnerships and information sharing. The following items can be viewed by clicking the links highlighted in blue or downloaded via the links at the bottom of the page.
Government Connect (GC) DVD available
GC has produced a short DVD that provides an insight into how better information sharing is essential to the achievement of transformational government and improved service delivery and how GC has an important role to play in this.
If you would like a copy please email us at gc.info@dwp.gsi.gov.uk stating how many copies you would like (maximum 4) your name, position and address.
The Case for Government Connect
This is a good place to start. It provides a core brief on what Government Connect is, how it is funded and managed, why it is important for local authorities to implement it and how utilising it can help improve service delivery.
» You can view and download this document here.
Permanent Secretaries Letter to LA Chief Executives
On 1 April 2008 the permanent secretaries for DWP, DCSF and CLG, the Chief Executive of the LGA and the Chair of the Local Government Delivery Council wrote to all local authority Chief Executives in England and Wales to explain how the GC programme is governed and funded as well as an insight into why they have designated GC as the “preferred common secure method for the electronic transfer of data” between central and local government.
» You can view and download this letter here.
DWP Policy Announcement
On 7 July 2008 Joe Harley, the DWP Director General for Corporate IT and Chief Information Officer and Janet Callender, Chair of GC, the Local Government Delivery Council and Chief Executive of Tameside MBC, wrote to all local authority 151 Officers in England and Wales to announce a new DWP data access policy and explain how GC could play a major role in ensuring the security of government data. The policy basically states that “DWP will cease to provide RESTRICTED data to local authorities and the receipt of sensitive personal data from local authorities through means other than government approved secure communication channels” as of 31 March 2009.
» You can view and download this letter here.
The Benefits Realisation Fund letter
On 13 October 2008 GC announced a £2.25M support package for local authorities in part to support them in meeting the security requirements necessary to enable GC connectivity and begin sharing data securely but also to encourage and support the beneficial implementation of GC across the local authority sector and the sharing of learning and experience. Local authorities are invited to apply for funding from a £1.5M pot being administered by the IDeA. The letter below provides further details and guidance on this as well as links to other useful information sources.
» You can view and download this letter here.
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 Or download the whole package as a ZIP file |
Case for Government Connect (v1.3) 
©2008 Government Connect |