e-Government is at the heart of the government's drive to modernise local government – using new technologies to enhance the effectiveness of local democracy and the quality of local services. Central Government has placed a requirement on local authorities to achieve 100% capability in electronic delivery of priority services by 2005.
Our vision for e-government, shared with all local authorities in Northamptonshire, in essence is about using new technologies to provide "Improved Citizen Access to better, more joined-up services." We are aiming for more open and accessible government, working in partnership with other councils and organisations in the best way to empower local people.
What is e-Government?
"e-Government" is a national initiative utilising technology to facilitate ongoing improvements in the services offered by central government, local councils and other public bodies such as the health service. e-Government covers the delivery of services over the Internet, through managed call or contact centres, by interactive digital TV and through mobile phones.
We are already offering many services via our web site and are working to use those facilities outlined above to improve our services still further. At the same time we are taking steps to ensure that we offer these services to everyone.
What are the benefits?
e-Government is not about using technology for technology's sake. It is about enhancing service effectiveness and improving service delivery. In particular it will:
- Make services available 24 hours a day
- Improve access to services by making them available on-line. This should be of particular benefit to people in rural areas and people who cannot easily travel to service centres
- Make it easier to find information about services
- Help improve the quality of the services we provide by making us more efficient and delivering services in ways that better suit the public.
- Help us to join up more effectively with other organisations so that we can offer more integrated services.
"e-Government is about delivering services to meet customers' needs."
NCC's e-Government Programme
The e-government programme has been divided into 5 Programme Streams:
- Programme Stream 1 – Leadership and Programme Management (Managing the BVPI 157 Indicators, IEG statement returns, and 'leadership' requirements
- Programme Stream 2 – Customer Relationship Management (One-stop shops, Telephone contact and joined-up information provision)
- Programme Stream 3 – Information / Records Management and Security (Meeting our legal requirements with FOI / DPA, record sharing protocols)
- Programme Stream 4 – NCC Web Presence Development (Transactional service information on NCC web-site & Connect2 Portal)
- Programme Stream 5 – Service Specific Outcomes (Requirements for each of the five service groupings and for Governance, Finance, HR & Operations)
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