To approve the data quality policy.

THAT Cabinet

(a)   note the actions being taken by the Chief Executive to improve data quality; and

(b)   approve those elements of the data quality policy at Appendix 1 that relate to its own role and those of the Leader, lead Cabinet Member and all Members.

The high quality of the data the Council receives, creates, uses and reports to others is too often taken for granted. It is a matter of public and regulatory concern nationally that procedures exist to demonstrate and improve data quality. The Audit Commission assesses each Authority annually and, like all regulators, increasingly emphasise appropriate systems and processes rather than individual indicators or returns. The Council’s 2007/08 audit highlighted the lack of a formal policy which has now been produced for adoption.

There are no Alternative Options.