The winning ideas range from a project that offers 'virtual tours' of vacant council homes, parks, local shops and other community facilities to another project that aims to use SMS text-messaging technology to improve access to services for people living in rural areas. The local authorities will receive a share of £6.2m match funding to deliver their innovative ideas by March 2005. The e-innovations fund, worth £14m overall, was announced last September and following on from this first round of winners, the second bidding round will begin in the Autumn.
Announcing the first-round winners today, Local e-Government Minister Phil Hope said:
"E-Government is not just about computers or websites. It is about improving the way people use their local services and improving their experience of dealing with Government."
"I welcome these projects that complement the work of individual councils, Pathfinders, National Projects and Partnerships already being carried out under the Local e-Government programme. The innovation, creativity and cutting-edge nature of these winning projects is encouraging and demonstrates how e-Government can be a driving force for real change in people's lives."
"I am particularly pleased to see the how these projects can be 'rolled out' to other councils, saving them time and money".
The first round of support for e-innovations targets the following four themes:
- E-Learning
This theme includes the internal sharing of information and good practice, staff development and better use of e-government to assist service transformation (i.e. not mainstream education/schools).
- Bridging the Digital Divide
This includes using e-government in ways that help services to reach those socially excluded and in particular addressing the concern that e-government might lead to some people being further isolated from the support and services they need.
- Emergent technology for better government
Innovative use of ICT to improve services.
- Local authority e-business
Better use of ICT to improve internal business in councils, including service planning and performance management.
