23 August 2005

Local authorities in England look set to be completely e-enabled by the end of the year, which will mean that the type of service provided by local government will be wholly and radically updated.

July's Implementing Electronic Government (IEG4.5) returns showed that, in nearly 200 councils, citizens can now go online to submit planning applications or calculate their benefits entitlement, making it simple to carry out tasks that would have otherwise been troublesome and time-consuming.

Near universal online coverage is now also offered by councils in England for renewing library books, accessing public transport information and viewing council reports and committee minutes.

Local e-government minister Jim Fitzpatrick commented: "The results from July's Implementing Electronic Government returns mark the turn into the home straight for the local e-government programme.

"The programme has overseen a sea change in the electronic enablement of council services from just 26 per cent in March 2002 to 77 per cent in March 2005, with e-government already making an essential contribution towards the Government's efficiency targets."

This means that local authorities will now meet the requirement by the government for them to be 100 per cent e-enabled by December 2005.

The IEG4.5 returns also showed that £115 million efficiency gains had been made in 2004/05 as a direct result of investment in local e-government, with it being estimated that efficiency gains made in this way will total £1.1 billion from 2004-05 to 2007/08.

© Adfero Ltd

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