2 December 2002

The National Strategy for Local eGovernment

By Chris Leslie MP, Minister for Local eGovernment

eGovernment is a unique opportunity for IT managers in local authorities to be at the centre of activity in their authority, shaping it for the future. The national strategy, which I launched last week, is a short document that demonstrates how e-government can transform local services and breathe new life into local democracy. The strategy is also a tool for you, as local authority officers, to ensure e-government delivers benefits to your council.

The National Strategy provides a checklist of issues that councillors and chief executives need to consider and the questions they will want to ask of their councils. Familiarise yourself with this checklist and be ready to shape the future in partnership with your chief executive and councillors.

In Chapter 5, the National Strategy outlines what the government is doing to help local government to deliver e-government. The initiatives and work described will help you to provide the infrastructure and IT support needed to deliver e-government.

For example, partnership is a key aspect of local e-government. All over the country authorities are working in partnership with each other to develop approaches to e-government and jointly procure essential IT systems to make it work. The strategy and website also provides details of work on Pathfinders, local e-government national projects, National Infrastructure developments, standards and privacy and data sharing issues.

Please take time to read the strategy, which is available online and equip yourself with the knowledge to pursue local e-government in your council. The website will be developed over the coming months to offer more advice and best practice on specific areas of e-government.