Independent evidence. Clear scores. Practical recommendations.
Council Clearsight assesses your council using publicly available evidence across four pillars. Every data point can be independently verified. Every score can be scrutinised.
We gather the evidence
Independent, publicly verifiable assessment
Our team assesses your council across 13 observable indicators using publicly available sources — your website, published minutes, annual report, social media presence, and statutory registers. No forms to fill in, no documents to prepare.
Every data point is sourced from publicly accessible records. You can verify every indicator in your report.
We calculate your VDTI score
Four weighted pillars, scored out of 100
Your score is calculated across four equal pillars: Digital Presence (25%), Governance & Transparency (25%), Community Connectivity (25%), and Accessibility & Inclusion (25%). Each pillar is scored 0–25, for a total out of 100.
Scoring is size-normalised so that a parish of 500 residents is assessed fairly alongside a town of 15,000.
We identify local schools and assess engagement
School engagementUsing the DfE Get Information About Schools register
Council Clearsight cross-references your council boundary with the Department for Education's GIAS register to identify primary and secondary schools in your area. We then conduct a three-source evidence assessment: searching the council's website, published meeting minutes, and published accounts (including the AGAR) for verifiable evidence of engagement with those schools.
The score reflects documented engagement, not proximity alone. A council with one school and strong evidence of partnership can outscore a council surrounded by ten schools but with no documented engagement. Where no evidence is found, this is noted transparently.
We benchmark against peers
Fair comparison by council type and region
Your council is compared against others of the same type within your region. Rankings are calculated nationally and regionally so you can see where you stand relative to comparable councils.
Scores are size-normalised to ensure fair comparison. A small rural parish is not measured against the same absolute thresholds as a large market town.
Your report is published
Annual assessment: January–March
All public VDTI assessments are conducted during the standard annual assessment window of January to March each year, with results published by 31 March. This timing aligns with the local election cycle, ensuring residents can review their council's performance before polling day.
Subscribing councils can request an updated assessment at any time — delivered within 4 weeks — so your score reflects your most recent improvements.
You act on the insight
Evidence that supports improvement
Use your report at council meetings, in your annual report, on your website, and in conversations with residents. Your VDTI score provides a clear, evidence-based measure of transparency and engagement that you can track over time.
Every report includes eight prioritised recommendations. Subscribing councils receive the full set with specific, actionable guidance.
Clearsight vs Clearsight+ — what's included?
Both tiers deliver the same independent, evidence-based assessment. The difference is how much ongoing support and how frequently you can request updated scores.
| Feature | Clearsight £249/yr | Clearsight+ £349/yr |
|---|---|---|
| Annual VDTI assessment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Four-pillar score breakdown | ✓ | ✓ |
| Peer benchmarking | Type & region | Type, region & population |
| Resident-facing summary | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full 8 recommendations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Updated assessment (within 4 weeks) | 1 per year | Unlimited |
| School engagement evidence review | — | ✓ |
| Improvement roadmap | — | ✓ |
How we assess school engagement
Council Clearsight uses the Department for Education's Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register to identify schools within each council area. Each school is linked to its official GIAS record so the public can independently verify its existence and location.
Having schools nearby is not enough to score well. We conduct a three-source evidence assessment to determine whether the council has demonstrably engaged with those schools:
- 1. Website Does the council's website reference schools, school visits, joint projects, or educational partnerships?
- 2. Minutes Do published meeting minutes contain agenda items, reports, or discussions about school engagement?
- 3. Accounts Do the published accounts or AGAR show school-related expenditure, grants, or funding allocations?
Where no public evidence of engagement is found across any of these three sources, this is recorded transparently in the assessment. The score rewards documented engagement, not proximity.
School engagement assessment process
Identify schools via GIAS register
Cross-reference council boundary with the DfE Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register to identify all primary and secondary schools. Each school is linked to its official GIAS record.
Search council website
Review the council's website for any references to school engagement: visits, joint projects, educational partnerships, school-related events, or liaison reports.
Review meeting minutes
Examine published meeting minutes for agenda items, discussions, or reports relating to school partnerships, funding, or joint activities.
Check accounts and AGAR
Review published accounts and the Annual Governance and Accountability Return for school-related expenditure, grants, or funding allocations.
Score and cite sources
Points are awarded for each evidence source where engagement is found. All sources are cited with links in the council's report for public verification.
Designed for how councils actually work
Built around the real needs of clerks, chairs, and councillors — not technical specialists.
Parish Clerk
- Reports ready for council meetings
- Independent evidence — no preparation needed
- Clear benchmarking against peer councils
- Resident-facing summaries to publish
Council Chair
- Strategic overview of council performance
- Governance and transparency insight
- Evidence to support annual planning
- Peer comparison context
Councillor
- Clear charts and plain language
- Evidence to support decisions
- Understanding of resident priorities
- Accessible online portal
Want to know how your council is performing?
Every council in our directory has a public VDTI score based on independently verifiable evidence. You can search for your council, review its score breakdown, and see how it compares to others in your region. If you have feedback or questions, contact us at [email protected].
See your council's assessment
Every council in England has a public VDTI score. Search the directory to find yours, or get in touch to discuss how a subscription can help you improve your score and demonstrate value to residents.