Built on public evidence. Open to scrutiny.
Council Clearsight uses two complementary frameworks: the VDTI — a publicly verifiable ranking based entirely on observable public data — and the Council Clearsight Score — a subscriber assessment that adds depth through direct verification and community feedback.
Verifiable Digital Transparency Index (VDTI)
A publicly verifiable scoring framework derived entirely from observable, publicly available information. Every score can be independently checked by any resident, councillor, or journalist using the same sources we use.
Maximum public score: 100 out of 100. Scores above 88 typically require subscriber-level manual verification to confirm engagement evidence.
Council Clearsight Score
For subscribing councils, Council Clearsight produces a deeper assessment that includes everything in the public VDTI plus direct verification of internal governance documents, resident survey analysis, and a detailed school engagement evidence review.
Maximum subscriber score: 100 out of 100. Subscribers receive an updated assessment within 4 weeks of subscribing.
VDTI: The Public Ranking Framework
Publicly verifiableThe VDTI is scored from 13 verifiable indicators across 4 equal pillars (25 points each, 100 total). Every indicator is assessed from publicly observable sources — council databases, the DfE GIAS schools register, and council websites. No self-reported data, no surveys, no estimates. Where evidence is absent, the indicator scores zero.
Publicly verifiable
Every indicator can be checked by any member of the public using the same sources we use. No specialist knowledge required.
Grounded in statute
Indicators are drawn from existing legal requirements — the Transparency Code, Accessibility Regulations, and Accounts and Audit Regulations.
Conservative scoring
Where evidence is absent, the indicator scores zero. We never impute, estimate, or infer. Absence of evidence is scored as absence.
Size-normalised
Indicators use binary or proportional measures that work fairly for a 500-resident parish and a 15,000-resident town alike.
Formula: VDTI Overall Score = P1 + P2 + P3 + P4 (each pillar scored 0–25, total max 100). No weighting is applied — all four pillars contribute equally. Rankings are computed by sorting all assessed councils by overall score in descending order. Ties are broken alphabetically.
Indicator Definitions
P1: Digital Presence
Weight: 25% · 3 indicatorsAssesses whether a council maintains a publicly accessible digital presence and provides basic contact information. Indicators are derived from publicly recorded data: the council's website URL, published email address, and phone number.
Legal basis: Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities (DCLG, 2015); Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/952).
P2: Governance & Transparency
Weight: 25% · 4 indicatorsAssesses whether the council has identifiable governance officers and publishes governance information. Indicators are verified from publicly available records and council websites.
Legal basis: Local Government Act 1972, s.15 (chair election); Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities (DCLG, 2015); NALC Good Councillor Guide (2023).
P3: Community Connectivity
Weight: 25% · 3 indicatorsEvaluates the council's connections to local schools and community institutions. This pillar goes beyond simply counting schools in the area: it examines whether the council has publicly verifiable evidence of engaging with those schools through its website, meeting minutes, and published accounts. Schools are identified using the Department for Education Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register.
Legal basis: Localism Act 2011 (community rights); NALC Good Councillor Guide (2023); DfE Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register.
P4: Accessibility & Inclusion
Weight: 25% · 3 indicatorsAssesses how accessible the council's information is to residents through multiple contact channels, named points of contact, and geographic identification. This pillar rewards councils that make it easy for residents to find and reach them.
Legal basis: Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities (DCLG, 2015); ONS Administrative Geography; NALC Good Councillors Guide (2023).
How the VDTI works fairly for councils of all sizes
A parish council serving 500 residents with one school faces very different operational realities to a town council serving 15,000 residents with ten schools. The VDTI is designed to assess both fairly, using three principles:
What subscriber assessments add
The public VDTI score is calculated entirely from observable data. Subscribing councils receive a deeper assessment that can verify additional evidence not visible from public sources:
Subscribing councils receive an updated assessment within 4 weeks, with a full report and personalised recommendations.
Annual assessment window: January–March
All public VDTI assessments are conducted during the standard annual assessment window of January to March each year. This timing is deliberate:
- It concludes before local elections (typically held in May), ensuring residents have access to performance data when it matters most.
- It captures the previous calendar year's published evidence, including the most recent AGAR and annual governance statements.
- It gives councils time to act on findings before the Annual Parish Meeting (typically held in May).
Scores published from the annual assessment window remain in effect until the next assessment cycle. Councils that subscribe to Council Clearsight can receive an updated assessment within 4 weeks — reflecting any improvements made since the public assessment was published.
Score Bands
| Band | Range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Leading | 86–100 | Meets or exceeds all statutory requirements across every pillar. Demonstrates active community engagement, published improvement plans, and professional development. Scores above 88 typically require subscriber-level verification to confirm engagement evidence. |
| Advanced | 71–85 | Strong performance with minor gaps. Meets most statutory requirements and demonstrates meaningful community engagement. Typically one or two indicators away from Leading. |
| Established | 56–70 | Meets core statutory requirements but has clear opportunities for improvement — often in Governance & Transparency or Community Connectivity. A solid foundation to build on. |
| Emerging | 41–55 | Partial compliance with transparency requirements. Significant gaps in one or more pillars, but evidence of some good practice. Specific, achievable improvements identified. |
| Developing | 0–40 | Substantial gaps in publicly observable transparency indicators. Priority areas for improvement clearly identified in the assessment. |
Scores above 88 typically require subscriber-level manual verification to confirm school engagement evidence and internal governance documents.
The VDTI measures observable transparency and governance practice, not overall council quality. A high VDTI score indicates that a council publishes information transparently, engages with its community, and demonstrates continuous improvement. It does not measure the quality of individual council decisions, financial management outcomes, or resident satisfaction levels.
Scores reflect the annual assessment window (January–March). Councils that have improved their practice since the assessment was published will not see their score updated until the next annual cycle — unless they subscribe for an updated assessment, which is delivered within 4 weeks.
Council Clearsight Score: The Subscriber Assessment
Subscriber onlyFor subscribing councils, Council Clearsight produces a deeper, four-pillar assessment that builds on the public VDTI. It includes everything in the public assessment plus direct verification of internal governance documents, resident survey analysis, and a detailed school engagement evidence review.
The subscriber assessment unlocks the full 100-point scale. Subscribers receive their updated assessment within 4 weeks of subscribing — reflecting any improvements made since the public assessment was published.
Digital Presence
25% of overall score
Everything in the public VDTI assessment, plus direct verification of internal governance documents — risk register, asset register, internal audit report, and delegation scheme. This deeper review can only be conducted with the council's cooperation.
- All 3 public VDTI Digital Presence indicators
- Internal audit report review (beyond AGAR summary)
- Risk register completeness and currency
- Asset register accuracy and public accessibility
- Delegation scheme and committee terms of reference
Governance & Transparency
25% of overall score
Everything in the public VDTI assessment, plus analysis of actual survey response data, consultation reach relative to population, and evidence that feedback has directly informed council decisions.
- All 4 public VDTI Governance & Transparency indicators
- Survey response rate relative to population
- Evidence of feedback directly informing decisions
- Accessibility of consultation processes (digital and physical)
- Feedback loops — telling residents what changed and why
Community Connectivity
25% of overall score
Everything in the public VDTI assessment, plus a detailed school engagement evidence review — assessing your council's documented engagement with local schools across three verifiable sources.
- All 3 public VDTI Community Connectivity indicators
- Detailed school engagement evidence review (website, minutes, accounts)
- Engagement with hard-to-reach groups (evidence-based)
- Digital accessibility beyond minimum requirements
- Depth and frequency of partnership working
Accessibility & Inclusion
25% of overall score
Everything in the public VDTI assessment, plus year-on-year trend analysis, completion tracking against stated priorities, and formal verification of clerk qualifications and training records.
- All 3 public VDTI Accessibility & Inclusion indicators
- Year-on-year VDTI score trend analysis
- Completion rate of stated council priorities
- Formal clerk qualification verification (CiLCA certificate)
- Training log review and CPD evidence
School partnerships — a unique data source
The Community Connectivity pillar includes a unique data source that no self-reported survey can replicate: structured feedback gathered directly from schools in your area. Council Clearsight works with primary and secondary schools to collect feedback from pupils and families on topics including safety, green spaces, local services, and civic pride.
This data is independently gathered, school-verified, and weighted within the Community Connectivity pillar. It captures the views of residents who are least likely to respond to a council survey — families with children — and provides a uniquely grounded picture of community life.
School partnership data is included as standard in Clearsight+ and available as an add-on for Clearsight subscribers.
References
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (2015) Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities. London: HMSO.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transparency-code-for-smaller-authoritiesDepartment for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) (2015) Local Government Transparency Code 2015. London: HMSO.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-transparency-code-2015HM Government (2018) Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/952). London: HMSO.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/952/madeHM Government (2015) The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234). London: HMSO.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/234/contents/madeInformation Commissioner's Office (ICO) (2023) Model Publication Scheme. Version 2.0. Wilmslow: ICO.
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/publication-scheme/HM Government (2010) Equality Act 2010. London: HMSO.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contentsNational Association of Local Councils (NALC) (2022) Good Councillor Guide. 5th edn. London: NALC.
https://www.nalc.gov.uk/support/local-council-award-scheme.htmlNational Association of Local Councils (NALC) / Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) (2023) Local Council Award Scheme Criteria. London: NALC.
https://www.nalc.gov.uk/support/local-council-award-scheme/what-award-level-to-apply-for.htmlJoint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG) (2022) Practitioners' Guide for Local Councils. London: JPAG.
https://www.nalc.gov.uk/library/our-work/jpagOffice for National Statistics (ONS) (2023) Parish data, England and Wales: Census 2021. Newport: ONS.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/parishdataenglandandwalescensus2021Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) (2019) English Indices of Deprivation 2019. London: MHCLG.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2019MHCLG (2026) Live Tables on Council Tax — Parish Precept Data. London: MHCLG.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-council-taxSmaller Authorities' Audit Appointments Ltd (SAAA) (2024) Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) Guidance.
https://www.saaa.co.uk/audit-process/agar/National Association of Local Councils (NALC) (2026) 'Parish and town councils are investing more in their communities'. NALC News, March 2026.
https://www.nalc.gov.uk/resource/parish-and-town-councils-are-investing-more-in-their-communities.html