Council's New-Look Website is Live
Published Thursday 20th August 09
Pendle Council is leading the way with its new-look website which is interactive and helps residents find the information they need even faster!
The Council's popular website which attracts 8,000 hits every day has been completely revamped and is now live.
It's been developed in consultation with local residents who gave feedback on the old site.
The main changes to look out for include:
- much clearer layout
- video clips (similar to BBC and You Tube websites). These will include films on how to recycle in English, Polish and Punjabi
- blogs including ones which focus on recycling from residents who have starred in the recycling campaign and the Council's recycling collectors
- ability to link to social networking pages such as the Council's Facebook page
- ability to respond to feedback faster.
An improved and updated A to Z of Council services has also been included, as well as an improved search facility making it easier for people to find the information or service that they're looking for.
Visitors can continue to search for Council documents, apply for a job, or pay a bill - all at the click of a mouse.
Councillor Allan Buck, who has responsibility for Economic Development in Pendle, has been involved in creating the Council's new website.
He said: "The new version makes it much easier for local people to get information and do business with the Council, as well as helping to promote the area on a world-wide platform.
"It has a clearer design and extra features to make it more user-friendly for local residents, businesses and visitors.
"And the interactive features on the new site mean that being involved with the Council online has become even easier.
"I'm really pleased that residents gave up their time to comment on our previous website.
"Their feedback has really helped to shape our new and improved site and we want people to continue to give us their comments!"
All residents who gave feedback were put in a draw. Maxine Wright was picked out at random to win £30 of Amazon Vouchers.
Maxine is a Lead Business Analyst for Shell International and lives in Nelson.
She works away four days a week in London so finds the Council's website invaluable when searching for its services and other useful information.
She said: "I've found the website a brilliant resource for as long as I can remember!
"I don't know what I'd do without the web. I prefer to find the information I need online rather than ringing up and speaking to different departments.
"Often all I need is a simple yes or no answer and I can get this at any time of the day!"
Kathryn Halton and Marcia Allass are the Council's Web Co-ordinators.
Kathryn said: "Residents increasingly expect to deal with the Council online 24 hours a day, seven days a week - our new website means they can do just that.
"We are a forward-looking Council and we want to ensure we have the latest Internet technology to improve the way we deliver services to local people."
Marcia added: "The site has been designed to be very user-friendly to improve the experience for visitors..
"This means anyone can access the information they need by adapting the look of the website, for example changing the text size or contrast.
"It also takes into account that not everybody has the latest technology and Council jargon has been avoided by using Plain English where possible."
Although the website has been launched it is continually being developed and visitors are encouraged to comment on it via the site.
Councillor Buck said: "Residents will also get the chance to have their say on the new-look website at the end of September when consultations are carried out in libraries across the borough.
"We want to make sure that our website meets your needs so please come along and tell us what you'd like to see, what you think works and what needs to improve."
The new website is all part of Pendle Council's pledge to improve services for residents, businesses and visitors.
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