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Over the past few years the concept
of e-government has developed an apparently irresistible momentum. New
government bodies, initiatives and officials have appeared at national level,
and to some extent are being mirrored at local level too. Strategies,
guidelines, conceptual models and working papers abound; projects are branded e-this,
dot.that and @whatever. But
behind the hope and the hype, is much actually happening? A
conference, "Putting the 'e-' into Local Government" in
February sought to provide an answer to that. Initial
scene-setting outlined the issues facing local government when moving service
delivery and ways of working into the "Information Age", and a presentation
from Toshiba provided a glimpse into the future technology which will provide
increased opportunities for innovation. At ground level, there are many
examples of good practice developing and a number of these were featured. The
conference divided the case studies into four themes:
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e-services
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e-learning
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e-work
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e-inclusion.
Each theme provided two or more case
studies of best/good practice, highlighting the issues, successes and the
pitfalls. Conclusions Two
messages came over clearly from the day
The case studies showed how a number
of pioneering authorities are leading the way. With new technologies people only
begin to understand the full potential and implications when something is up and
running, or at least piloted. So
delegates left with clear encouragement to "go and do likewise"!
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