However, they may find the process easier if they have an IT-savvy CEO at the helm.

A number of local government organisations and bodies were discussing the challenges associated with getting a major PSN deployment approved at a hosted by Virgin Media Business this week.

Mike Carey, PSN contract and service manager at Cambridgeshire County Council, said that local authorities need to be careful not to place all the cost burden on the IT department, without recognising the wider benefits that will be achieved.

"It depends how mature a view an organisation has of its budget, because it might be more expensive on the IT budget, but your chief exec needs to understand that they will probably make a net saving," said Carey.

"What you don't want is IT procuring in isolation and having to make a case for increased spend on a per unit circuit cost. What you need to demonstrate at the chief exec level is that you can now make savings in social care, for example."