27 West Dean
SALISBURY
Wilts SP5 1JQ
Tel: 01794-341-405
Fax: 01794-340-026
eMail: rp@1sta.net
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FAO David Neudegg
Policy Director
Salisbury District Council
The Council House, Bourne Hill
SALISBURY SP1 3UZ

27th June 2001

Dear David,

Re: SDC Consultation on an e-Government Strategy for Salisbury.

I was introduced to computers in 1988 and have since taught myself how to use IT. This was made easier by the Microsoft Corporation's policy of sharing information, often without charge and latterly by easy access to the Internet. As Clerk to West Dean Parish Council since 1991, I have become familiar with Government Reports and Bureaucracy. Inevitably, this response will be from that perspective and is tempered by experiences gained during the last 17 months through organising 'Community Web' meetings at various locations across South Wiltshire.

This letter is my response to the document entitled 'Implementing Electronic Government' received on 18th June 2001. Reference is made to the appendices where appropriate.

1: Introduction and Context: There is no doubt that electronic communication has the potential for dramatic cost savings and increased efficiency. The development, over ten years ago, of the HyperText Mark-up Language (HTML), based on the ISO 8859 ASCII character set, has enabled government departments, businesses and private individuals to electronically publish vast quantities of information. Evolving search engine technologies and the reducing cost of telecommunication services is making this wealth of information available to more people every day. The single most important issue is in finding ways to ensure that every citizen has access to the information that is pertinent to them and that it is in a format with which they are most comfortable.

2: Current Position: It is much easier to publish information on the Internet than it is to ensure that every person who needs to access that information is able to do so. Considerable effort needs to be devoted to ensuring that individuals are not dissuaded from accessing information electronically by lack of instruction or over-complication. There is a wide choice of educational options in Salisbury District that could be supplemented by Council sponsored advice facilities. For example, the questions on a housing benefit form (or any other application form) are no easier to answer online than on paper. A confidential service that would help an applicant to provide the correct information and at the same time demonstrate the advantages of electronic submission might lead to better appreciation by the Council's customers.

3: Strategy and Milestones: Perhaps the most important paragraph in the consultation document is: '..... the development of e-government will not substitute existing methods of communication and interaction, but rather provide an additional and alternative option for the citizen.' Although an email is faster than a letter, more graphic than a fax and more enduring than a phone call there are situations where electronic transmission will not be appropriate. Robust methods for securing the authenticity of email would need to be implemented if its use is to be expanded. Appendix 9 on the use of email by SDC members and officers is explicit. Particularly paragraphs 2.4.4 and 2.4.5 that explain how email is currently used.

As stated, regular reviews will help to keep the implementation of electronic government 'on track'.

Yours sincerely

Richard Parsons
Delivered by email and FAX at 2:30pm on Wednesday, 27th June 2001.