If people don't know what you're doing, they don't know what you're doing wrong.

The new Library comparison reports were put online today. They're a bit of a double edged sword, on the one hand you can see what your local authority is spending compared to others on certain areas etc but on the other I think councils are using them as a excuse for further cuts in a race to the bottom if a neighbour spends less on something than they do. Once curious thing I noticed is there seems to be less authorities than last year, I've checked three times now and in 2012 there were 149 authorities listed but in 2014 there are only 78. I'm hoping to take off my tinfoil hat as they may be still uploading them or I've missed something. The drivel laden press release from E-Vaizey is here and the link to the 2012 reports are here and the 2013 here

I do remember once a councillor telling me that authorities hate above all things being compared with others, considering the DCMS was footing the bill for this, it would be a very, very bad thing indeed if all those authorities have opted out but as I say, it may be they're still uploading them, I've missed them on the site somehow because I'm thick or there is some other technical reason. I have emailed CIPFA asking where my local authorities report is and I'll update this when they reply or I see it has appeared on the site. 

Here is the list of 2012/2013 authorities.