Openness of data is as important for local government as it is for national government - making people more connected to their community and giving them the tools to demand action on issues that matter. Digitalising council records could mean that citizens can find out everything from the council accounts to the number of streetlights and community wardens, to when the rubbish is collected and the hedges trimmed. The work Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Nigel Shadbolt are doing needs to extend across the whole public sector. And I am working with them to ensure that their work embraces local government and local services and that local government responds quickly, consistently and effectively to the challenge. - Philip John