Chris G cl@isbd.net wrote: [...]
I think it's generic in government/local government, the salaries paid to "IT Support" people are derisory.
But paying people is a "revenue budget" matter and has to fit into the government strategic plans, while buying equipment is a "capital budget" item and doesn't need any planning! (I've been told this by a gov.uk worker in all seriousness. I don't think they'd listened to what they were saying recently.)
This is a big hurdle for Free Software in gov.uk - somehow, most licensing fees have been smuggled into the "capital budget". We need to get all of them back under "revenue" where they really belong and where the link between the obscene charges and taxes can be made more easily, without transfers to/from "reserves" obscuring it. Alternatively, get smart people in high places - like the IT officer from bristol.gov.uk - who will make the link, regardless.
Possibly related: I'm currently looking for feedback, particularly from cooperative members, on Local Strategic Partnerships and Strategic Economic Partnerships. See http://planet.alug.org.uk/ These might be a way for other free software workers to influence gov.uk
Thanks,