Though most councils described their eprogrammes as “modest” rather than ambitious, they believe that by the end of 2005 they will have put in place the systems needed for multi-channel access to eservices, according to a UK-wide survey conducted late in 2004 by the Society of IT Management (SOCITM). The survey found that local-authority investment in equipment, software and services reached an estimated £600m in 2004. IT spending rose 10% to £2.7bn for the year — making a 40% rise in the past two years — while staffing numbers are also expected to jump by a total of 900 countrywide.
But not all councils are participating in the spree. Several believe that the national egovernment programme is distorting local priorities for service development. Most also concede that a lot needs to be done to encourage customers and businesses to take up the eservices now available.
Quelle: BJHC, 14.02.2005
