11 January 2006

West Somerset District Council has hit government targets by achieving 100 per cent e-compliance.

This means that Somerset residents can now conduct most of their council business online, from paying their council tax bill, submitting a planning application or calculating their housing benefit.

All the forms required are fully downloadable, where they can be printed off and filled in at home, getting rid of the need to visit the council offices in person.

According the council's deputy leader, councillor Bryan Leaker, the council has made rapid improvements to its online facilities, having started 2005 with only 42 per cent e-compliance.

He went on to say how the new improved online services will be of great benefit to those who live in rural and often relatively isolated areas of the region who have limited access to transport to get to the council offices.

However, he added: "For those customers who still want, or need, to visit our offices, it also means we can 'lose the queues' and they will not have to wait very long to be served."

In conclusion, he said he was "delighted" with the council's success in fulfilling e-government targets.

"It is all the more of an achievement for a small authority like West Somerset, with our limited capacity, because many other, larger authorities, have yet to reach this target."

© Adfero Ltd

Keep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.