14 March 2006

Lambeth Council's website has been cited in the top 20 best local authority websites in the UK, as compiled by the Society of Information Technology Management (SOCITM).

All 543 local authority sites in the UK were assessed on usability, accessibility and navigation, download speed, news value, and the quality of content on areas such as licensing, schools and jobs.

The SOCITM said that Lambeth Council's site "provides a benchmark to the local government community and others about where they might look for best practice".

According to a Lambeth Council press release, around a third of Lambeth residents with access to the Internet have used the council's website to make use of the various services available.

Residents are able to pay their council tax, housing rent and parking penalty charge notices online. They can also apply for a bulky refuse collection, report an abandoned vehicle, and find information on a range of other council services.

The council said that its website has "greatly improved" customer service at Lambeth, especially for those who have difficulties visiting the council offices.

Councillor John Whelan, deputy leader of Lambeth Council, said: "Lambeth is getting e-connected! The council's website is a testimony to the skills of our web team in creating more transactional services, making the website easy to navigate, and accessible to people with disabilities. Above all it is there to serve the residents of Lambeth with information at the click of a mouse.

"Because our website is easy to use it is helping to reduce the digital divide in the borough and is promoting social inclusion," he added.

Lambeth Council's website was launched in May 2005.

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