The Minister was in the region to see a range of the council's services, which are harnessing technology to cut bureaucracy and reduce costs.
Mr Woolas was also shown award-winning e-government services including ERYC's service-driven website, a helpful planning website and the use of wireless technology for remote areas.
He said: "East Riding of Yorkshire Council has worked very hard to ensure that local people have comprehensive access to council services and information and I have been impressed with all that I have seen here today.
"From the beginning of the Local E-Gov programme, myself and my ministerial colleagues at ODPM have been impressed with the way that local government as a whole has recognised the potential of new technology, to communicate effectively with communities it serves."
ERYC leader, Councillor Stephen Parnaby, said: "I am very proud of the council's achievements in e-government, which have put us at the leading edge nationally. Using the new technology to its full potential, and in such an innovative way, has been exactly right in our mainly rural and sparsely populated area."
Mr Woolas took the opportunity during the visit to sign the second Local Public Service Agreement with the council.
This agreement provides for extra grant reward equivalent to 2.5 per cent of the council's annual budget in return for meeting targets that will help raise standards in key areas like education, the environment, community safety and health.
Quelle: Goole Today, 08.02.2006
