7 June 2005
An innovative programme designed to improve the accessibility and favourability of e-government services in the Scottish region of Renfrewshire has been deemed a terrific success.
The Reaching Renfrewshire project has seen the council step up its use of the Internet, e-mail, a contact centre and electronic information kiosks to keep local residents in the know.
The programme has also seen officials pilot the use of mobile phone text messaging to communicate with groups in the community.
This particular service has allowed councillors to communicate via text messages with the deaf community and send information out to young carers.
Sarah Gadsden, customer services manager at Renfrewshire council, said: "A key part of our vision is to have information and services available to citizens, businesses and organisations where and when they want by whatever means they prefer
"Mobile phones and text messaging are so widely used nowadays we were keen to evaluate how this could help us to continue to improve our communications."
Ms Gadsden added: "The pilot project delivered substantial benefits for our customers - improved choice, better accessibility of public information, increased personalisation and improved engagement with young people was some of the consistent feedback we received."
Renfrewshire council is the ninth largest council in Scotland and has around 172,000 residents. A total of 80 per cent of those who participated in the programme said they were satisfied with the service and wanted to see it continue.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
Keep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.
