High Praise for Council Website

The Society of IT Managers (SoCITM) looked at over 500 local authority websites to find out which local authorities have created the most useful and easy to use sites.

As part of their Better Connected 2009 survey, IT experts reviewed the websites last year, checking their navigation, search tools, news sections, the services and how easy they are to use. They also tested the sites based on what fictional customers, with different needs, might be looking for when visiting a council's website.

SoCITM ranked Lichfield District Council's website - www.lichfielddc.gov.uk - in the top 25 of district councils in the country. They also raved about how great the council's planning section is.

The review stated: "What a great planning services homepage... it's the most engaging and readable introduction to planning that I have seen. I love the map of planning applications, which is so easy to use and which really invites the user to try out the mapping and online facilities."

It went on to say: " Lichfield makes excellent use of innovative technology and you can sign up for email alerts on planning applications, RSS feeds or even Twitter. This site is well worth a visit."

The report also praised the council for their 'fresh approach' to website design and how well the site works. They also liked the Report It section which allows local people to report a whole host of information to the council - from a lost or found dog, to benefit fraud, through to unauthorised development in the district.

Councillor David S. Smith, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: "We get lots of feedback from our residents telling us how useful they find our website, and we're delighted SoCITM think so too. We have worked hard to create an easy to use site, full of everything you need to know about our services, with a range of interactive features."