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Introduction
Local information systems (LIS)
Local information systems collect, analyse and disseminate important information, and data electronically. Though information can be obtained at national level the advantage of local systems is their ability to provide accurate information which is "at finer geographical detail" and more current to meet local level needs ([10] Foley et al. , 2007, p. 5) than a national service would be.
This paper looks at local information systems within UK local authorities. Local authorities form part of local government, dealing with housing, waste collection and management, education, libraries, social services, transport and other services. Local information systems are fairly recent developments, within local authorities ([10] Foley et al. , 2007, p. 8). A study of 69 systems, conducted in 2007, shows that only two local information systems were in use before 2000 (p. 8). The past few years have seen a rise in the development of local information systems across the UK, with the number now reaching almost 100 local information systems currently in use ([3] Data for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, Data Sources and LIS, 2008).
Purpose of study
There is little research currently published on the use and value of local information systems therefore making this a worthwhile subject to explore. In 2007 the Department for Communities and Local Government commissioned the report Local Information Systems: A Review of their Role, Characteristics and Benefits to overcome the fact that "relatively little was known about the characteristics of these systems" ([10] Foley et al. , 2007, p. 5).
The principal author is a member of the Milton Keynes (a town in the English Midlands) intelligence (MKi) team, which has received numerous information requests and visits from other local authorities, councils and health organisations who are interested in finding out how the system was developed and those who are in the process of establishing their own local information system. The need to exchange experiences and lessons learnt is thus clearly evident. The MKi local information system, known as the "MKi Observatory" (www.mkiobservatory.org.uk) featured in the [11] Health Service Journal supplement (2009, p. 12) as an example of good practise in partnership working:
Milton Keynes Observatory delivers rich information on everything from crime to smoking, right down to ward level, in a model...