Help us to Improve our New Website
Published Friday 16th October 09
Do you want to know how to make the most of Pendle Council services – any time of the day or night? Could you tell us how we can keep improving our new website to make it easier for you?
"These are just two of the questions Pendle Council's web team will be asking local residents this autumn.
"It's all part of the launch of our new website," explained Councillor Allan Buck .
"Our previous website was rated by independent inspectors* as being in the top two in Lancashire .
"Our aim is make www.pendle.gov.uk an Excellent rated website which puts people at the heart of our business and provides you with access to council services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"Our website is one of the main access channels for our services - and we need your help," he urged.
The web team will be visiting libraries across Pendle during October and November to get people's views.
Monday 19 October Brierfield Library 2pm - 4pm
Weds 21 October Nelson Library 10 am - 12 noon
Monday 2 November Wheatley Lane Library 2pm - 4pm
Weds 4 November Barnoldswick
Library 9.30am - 11.30am
Tues 10 November Trawden library 2.15pm - 4.15pm
Weds 11 November Earby Library 10am - 11.45am
Weds 18 November Barrowford Library 10am - 12 noon
Everyone taking part in the web consultation in libraries will be given a £3 voucher to use at the new ACE Centre in Nelson, for the bistro, cinema, theatre or music.
You can also make suggestions or report a glitch on the website on line via www.pendle.gov.uk
"Pages on our website are looked at over 5 millions times over a year and there are lots of services you can order any time," added Councillor Buck.
"It doesn't matter if you want a new recycling box, need to report fly tipping, look at a planning application, apply for a Council job or pay your Council Tax.
"You can do it on line at your convenience either in your local library, cyber café or from the comfort of your home."
Web Co-ordinator Marcia Allass said:
"It's a mammoth task to keep it all working well and up to date.
We have a team of Web Champions working in different services across the Council who help us do this.
"Local people can help too, by letting us know if they spot any problems or if they have suggestions for how we can improve it," she added.
Notes
*Each year, all local government websites are reviewed independently by the Society for Information Technology Managers (SOCITM) for the Better Connected report.
This provides an important indication of how well websites are providing services for residents and shows how we are doing compared to other councils. In the last three years our website has steadily improved its rating from Content (static information) in 2005 to Transactional (interactive) in 2007. This rating means that people can do business with us online.
We maintained our Transactional rating for 2008, with a specific mention in the report for our best practice status. Our website is now one of the best two in Lancashire.
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