D.41 In October 2010 the government announced that a Single Data List would be created to list all data that local authorities and some other public bodies would be required to provide to central government and departmental arms-length bodies.
D.42 The draft list was published in December 2010, alongside a consultation which ran until early February 2011.
D.43 The objectives of the Single Data List are:
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To be a clear, definitive list of data that central government needs from local authorities
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To help reduce data burdens on local authorities
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To be open for scrutiny, challenge and regular review
D.44 Furthermore, the government states that the list will:
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Help government reduce the number of datasets required by first cataloguing them
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Facilitate transparency by making it easier for the public to access data about their areas
D.45 Some data requirements include ex-National Indicators, but for government use instead of top-down local authority performance management or audit.
D.46 The draft Single Data List contains 162 indicators, made up of 463 data 'topics' or themes.
