Apologies to those of you who already subscribe to eGov newsletters - but its
worth look at the 'new chapter opens for libraries' section.
Regards,
Penny Garrod (list manager)
----- Forwarded message from eGov monitor <[log in to unmask]> -----
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 19:15:18 +0100
From: eGov monitor <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: eGov monitor <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: eGov monitor Weekly - 22 September 2003
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eGov monitor Weekly
The most complete round-up of UK electronic government and public sector ICT.
No. 96 - Monday, 22 September 2003
In this issue: Get ready to bid for the first slice of new 14 million e-
Innovations fund; eGovernment plans for libraries, plus the final part of our
exclusive History of Government IT series.
Also: Learn from best practice in Australian eGovernment; plus full coverage of
the other key developments in eGovernment over the last seven days.
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Latest News
- 14 milion for e-innovations
- Digitally divided by choice?...
Central Government
- ... Or by design?
- Compulsory ID scheme on the cards
Local Government
- New chapter opens for libraries
- Government paves way for e-elections
Insights & Analysis
- Joe Organ: History of IT in Government, Part Six
Featured Documents
- New Statesman: Confidence in Internet Security - A Round-table Discussion
- HM Land Registry: Acacia Programme - Progress Report September 2003
*** eGov monitor Events Express ***
Featured Tenders
- Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation: eProcurement Marketplace
- Surrey Police Authority: Data Recording System
- Leicester City Council: Communications System Maintenance Services
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LATEST NEWS:
- 14 MILLION FOR E-INNOVATIONS
Some 14 million of government match-funding will be available over the next
three years for local authorities to develop "cutting edge" eGovernment
projects and explore new and innovative approaches to joined-up working,
knowledge-sharing and e-service delivery.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 16 September details of
areas targetted in the first round of "Support for e-Innovations" funding aimed
at projects which "look beyond" the 2005 eGovernment target. Four million
pounds of capital resources have been set aside for projects this year, with a
further 5m for each of the subsequent two rounds.
The four initial themes targetted are:
- E-learning, including internal sharing of information and good practice,
staff development and better use of eGovernment to assist service transformation
- Bridging the digital divide, including using eGovernment in ways that help
services to reach those socially-excluded and in particular, addressing
concerns that eGovernment might lead to some people becoming further isolated
- Emergent technology for better government, which will look at innovative use
of ICT to improve services, and
- Local authority e-business: Better use of ICT to improve internal business,
including service planning and performance management.
The ODPM will be shortly releasing scoping papers for each of the themes, with
details of deadlines for submitting applications. A workshop will also be held
in late October to enable councils to discuss their ideas. Funding will be
offered by the ODPM on a match-funding basis, and may be in the form
of "payments in kind" such as staff time and use of IT/office resources.
Authorities can apply alone, or include partners from the public, private and
voluntary sectors - but can only lead one bid per round, although they can be a
partner in as many other bids as they wish. The successful bids will be
announced next April and every project wil need to specify a dissemination plan.
eGov monitor is interested to partner with local authorities on projects,
having already developed an advanced knowledge-sharing tool which is purpose-
built for eGovernment-related information, and as a channel for disseminating
information and results to the eGovernment community. To get in contact with
us, call 020 7384 1551 or email [log in to unmask] to arrange a discussion.
Official guidance is available at:
http://www.egovmonitor.com/links?96a (PDF - 236KB)
- DIGITALLY DIVIDED BY CHOICE? ...
New research is set to reopen the debate on the 'digital divide' by claiming
that just four per cent of the British population are without ready access of
any kind to the internet.
An Oxford Internet Institute survey of over 2,000 people found that two-fifths
did not use the internet, but among these half were "informed but indifferent".
Only one in seven did not know anyone who could get online on their behalf.
According to the research, almost nine out of 10 of all respondents could
access the internet through a local library, 77 per cent through internet cafes
and three-quarters via mobile phone. The overall findings suggest that what
stops a considerable percentage of the population from getting online is not a
lack of access to internet services or fear of technology, but rather a lack of
interest in the internet, or a need to use it. The report notes that of those
who never use the internet, an overwhelming 96 per cent said they did not feel
at all disadvantaged. Only one per cent of non-users thought that others had
difficulty contacting them, or felt they were disadvantaged at work. Age also
appears to be the greatest factor in determining inte!
rnet use - 98 per cent of pupils are internet users and two-thirds of people of
working age, but by contrast, only 22 per cent of retired people are online.
Unsurprising, the most popular uses for the internet are in seeking information
and browsing the Web, although 11 per cent said they spent a hour or more per
week using "public services" online.
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT:
- ... OR BY DESIGN?
Digital television's suitability as a medium for eGovernment has been called
into question. New Government research concludes that the poor design and
usability of current equipment and services excludes many elderly citizens and
users with disabilities.
Although the Government considers digital TV as a key channel for reaching
groups perceived as least likely to have access to the internet, the study for
the DTI found evidence that the complexity of modern equipment could
be "intimidating" unused to personal computers and with little experience of
menu-based methods of interaction. On-screen displays and remote controls
caused difficulty even for people familiar with new technologies, the research
found, and a quarter of current digital TV users admitted to being confused how
to use interactive features or access advanced features such as e-mail. Based
on today's equipment, around two million people, or seven per cent of the
population, would be unable to use one of today's set-top boxes for simple
everyday viewing, compared to only 2.7 per cent with existing analogue sets, it
claimed. A further 700,000 people would also be excluded from advanced features
such as digital text and interactive services.
eCommerce Minister Stephen Timms described the report as a "wake-up call" to
the industry. "Today's digital TV equipment is confusing and difficult to use,
even for people who take to new technology quickly", he said in a
statement. "We cannot expect people to fully embrace digital television unless
it is simple and easy to install and use."
Full report: http://www.egovmonitor.com/egw?96b1
- COMPULSORY ID SCHEME ON THE CARDS
The Home Secretary David Blunkett has stepped up pressure to introduce a
national identity card system by now publicly confirming his support for a
mandatory scheme and calling on sceptics to back 'paving' legislation this
Autumn.
Speaking on the BBC Breakfast with Frost programme yesterday, Mr Blunkett said
he wanted to persuade Cabinet colleagues to include proposals for ID cards in
the Queens' Speech in November. Asked on whether it would become compulsory to
carry the card, he said: "My own view is that the minimum is you can't actually
work, or draw on services unless you have the card." The Home Secretary argued
that without an enforceable ID card, the Government would be in the dark over
how many people were illegally living and working in Britain. "Of course we
don't have a rigorous and enforceable identification system linked to a
register of all those who are in the country, and that is of course what we're
debating in Cabinet at the moment", Mr Blunkett commented, posing the
question: "Should we have a register of all those in the country and should we
have an identification system that relates to it?" He indicated that such a
scheme was dependent on three factors - improvements in biometri!
c identification technology, addressing concerns over civil liberties and being
able to "build on what is already there", such as the millions of passports and
driving licences already carried by citizens. A full transcript of the
interview is available at:
http://www.egovmonitor.com/links?96b
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
- NEW CHAPTER OPENS FOR LIBRARIES
Local libraries are to become central to eGovernment delivery, increasing
access to ICT and take-up of online services among excluded groups under a
major new government "Master Plan" released last week.
The three-year plan developed by Resource (the Council for Museums, Archives
and Libraries) promises to bring "Framework for the Future", the Government's
long-term strategic vision for public libraries, into action. Under the plans,
public libraries are to be established as a main access point for eGovernment
services, which will see every library provided what is described as
an "eGovernment presence". A number of pilot sites should be rolling out new e-
services from next March. On some of the action points relating to eGovernment,
Resource may find itself facing accusations of re-inventing wheels already in
abundance. There is talk of undertaking work to identify "local models of good
practice" in eGovernment and how libraries contribute, with one main
deliverable being by June 2004, to compile a "relevant list" of government
department e-targets to identify a "specific delivery role" for libraries.
Other objectives will look at libraries hosting local websites - or as th!
e plan puts it, "demonstrating how libraries can enable an online environment
for community content creation". There is a strong focus on improving access to
services through ICT, including creating new digital library services and plans
for a 'virtual reference shelf' being available in every library by the end of
next year. The complete Action Plan will be funded by 3 million investment,
with the "Digital citizenship work package" receiving 375,000 from the New
Opportunities Fund.
Full report: http://www.egovmonitor.com/egw?96c
- GOVERNMENT PAVES WAY FOR E-ELECTIONS
The Government is pushing legislation through Parliament to enable electronic
voting to be piloted in combined local government and European Parliament
elections in June 2004.
It is hoped the move to a single polling day and new voting methods - not
allowed by current legislation - will stem the decline in voter turnout and
reduce the costs of holding separate elections. Alongside the legislation, the
Government is looking ahead at where next year's pilot schemes could take
place, hoping to trial all-postal voting in up to three regions, with an
opportunity for e-voting in one of these. It has asked the Electoral Commission
to recommend in which constituencies these pilots should take place and where
an "electronic element" could be included. The Commission should report its
findings in December. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has also launched
a nine-week public consultation on the proposed arrangements for running next
year's electoral pilots, both all-postal and e-voting, which closes on 19
November.
The news coincided with the publication of the Government's response to the
Commission's strategic evaluation of this year's electoral pilots. While
broadly endorsing most of the report's recommendations, the Government notably
rejected the Commission's call for an "agreed long-term project plan" towards
its stated goal of an e-enabled General Election post-2006, proposing instead
to publish an "evolving strategy" which it will update "as appropriate" the
next update coming before the end of this year. For the full report see:
http://www.egovmonitor.com/links?96c (PDF - 126KB)
ODPM consultion paper: http://www.egovmonitor.com/egw?96d
* In an update to last week's article on Newcastle City Council's plans to use
the Local Improvement Funding Trust (LIFT) a new form of public-private
partnership - to provide a number of one-stop-shop Customer Service Centres,
news comes in that the Council's Cabinet has now approved the Council's
participation in the next stage of the project, the creation of a company that
will build the centres. Further updates will follow as we monitor the project's
progress.
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*** AUSTRALIAN LOCAL eGOVERNMENT BEST PRACTICE ***
Over the next four weeks we will be promoting Australian expertise in local
eGovernment. Each week, we'll be featuring two or three Australian companies
with proven experience in delivering solutions and services to local
governments in Australia. These will include:
- Electronic records management
- Performance management and benchmarking
- Information, contact & asset management
- Technical consulting.
This week, we're featuring Advanced Data Integration (ADI), Objective
Corporation & Solutions House. If you would like to meet these companies and
discuss their experience in delivering tangible benefits to local government,
please contact Alex Moir at Austrade, [log in to unmask] or tel: 0207
632 0008. All the companies featured will be in the UK from 2nd until 8th
October.
* Advanced Data Integration (ADI)
http://www.advdata.com.au
Baulkham Hills Shire Council, one of Australia's fastest growing councils is
using ADI's DataWorks to power their disaster recovery, Customer Relationship
Management (CRM) and eCommerce strategies. The council chose DataWorks because
it was the only fully integrated system that covered records management,
customer request, electronic work flow and imaging in one solution. The
Baulkham Hills implementation of DataWorks has resulted in improvements in
workplace processes, customer service and team work.
* Objective Corporation
http://www.objective.com.au
Following an exhaustive evaluation process Objective Corporation was selected
by the Public Record Office (now incorporated with The National Archives) to
manage all the organisation's business records. The electronic document and
records management system is currently being rolled out to 600 users. The
National Archives is responsible for ensuring that government departments
comply with the Modernising Government Initiative.
* Solutions House
http://www.solutionshouse.com.au
The Solutions House provides expert advice to Local Government State
Departments in New South Wales (NSW), Queensland (QLD) and Tasmania (TAS) as
well as to a number of State Local Government Associations on effectively
utilising Performance Measurement information. The Solutions House software is
now used by over 70% of councils in NSW, QLD and TAS and is highly acclaimed by
users for its ease of use and its ability to deliver customised graphs and
reports within minutes.
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INSIGHT & ANALYSIS
The History of IT in Government - Part Six
Government IT under New Labour: The Office of the e-Envoy, the Office of
Government Commerce and eGovernment Success and Failure
- By Joe Organ
Our exclusive series tracing the history of government IT from the end of the
Second World War to the present day concludes by focusing on the progress of
the Blair government since its coming to power. Series author Joe Organ looks
at the success or otherwise of the Office of the e-Envoy and Office of
Government Commerce, the latest in a shifting cast of central co-ordinating
bodies involved in IT policy over the last 50 years, and given historical
precedent, unlikely to be the last.
Read the full article here:
http://www.egovmonitor.com/features/jorgan06.html
* If you missed the earlier articles in the series, see the complete series at:
http://www.egovmonitor.com/features/ITinGovernment.html
* To send your comments and feedback, email [log in to unmask]
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FEATURED DOCUMENTS
New Statesman: Confidence in Internet Security - A Roundtable Discussion
As part of this year's New Statesman New Media Awards, a round-table discussion
was held in July to discuss the issues surrounding concerns over internet
security and how these impacts on business and government. Participants
included the e-Envoy Andrew Pinder, Len Hynds, Head of the National High Tech
Crime Unit and senior security analyst Dr Simon Moores, representing eGov
monitor. This is an edited transcript of the discussions.
http://www.egovmonitor.com/links?96d1 (PDF - 284KB)
HM Land Registry: Acacia Programme - Progress Report September 2003
"Acacia" is a multi-agency project to design and implement a single national
infrastructure of property and related data, which will replace the thousands
of separate address lists currently in use. It is regarded as a major
initiative in joined-up government. This progress report covers activities over
the past 12 months and highlights some emerging findings from pilot work.
http://www.egovmonitor.com/links?96d2 [PDF - 45KB)
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*** eGov monitor Events Express ***
Next Issue: This Thursday
eGov monitor's bi-weekly listing of the most interesting events related to
eGovernment and public sector ICT. If there's a conference, exhibition or
seminar you think we should include, contact Shamit Ghosh on 020 7384 1551 or
email: [log in to unmask]
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FEATURED TENDERS
Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation: eProcurement Marketplace
Comprising the County Councils of Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire,
Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, together with Leicester and Peterborough City
Councils, the ESPO, a local government purchasing consortium, has issued a
tender for an eProcurement marketplace that will e-enable procurement
transactions between members and contracted suppliers. The contract is for
three years with possible extensions for up to a further three years.
http://www.egovmonitor.com/links?96t1
Surrey Police Authority: Data Recording System
The Authority is looking for companies to express an interest in delivering a
complete Vehicle Incident Data Recording System to compliment its Incident
Reduction Initiatives and provide independent evidence to support the
investigation of incidents involving police vehicles. The winning bidder is
expected to provide some 450 in-car units over the three-year term of the
contract.
http://www.egovmonitor.com/links?96t2
Leicester City Council: Communications System Maintenance Services
The Council has issued a tender in connection with the supply of its data
communications and network infrastructure involving maintenance of both new and
existing systems. The contract is expected to run for four years with an option
for a further one-year extension.
http://www.egovmonitor.com/links?96t3
Source: Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union
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----- End forwarded message -----
--
Penny Garrod
Public Library Networking Focus
UKOLN
University of Bath
email:[log in to unmask]
Tel: (mobile) 078 33 514502
Ariadne(the UKOLN e-magazine): http://www.ariadne.ac.uk
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