Council embraces digital technology

WARRINGTON Borough Council is to embrace digital technology to give residents greater choice and more convenience when accessing council services – but not at the expense of people unable to make use of the technology.
A new digital strategy is seen as essential to enable residents to access any council service at a time and place that is convenient for them.
At its heart is the concept of “digital by default” – which means that when designing service improvements the council will think digitally first, in our to ensure services are of high quality, more cost effective and, where possible, put the customer in control.
But council leader Terry O’Neill (pictured), in a report to the executive board, stresses that the strategy will not mean that services will be, in any way, prioritised for those with access to digital media – nor will it mean that services are necessarily of any higher.
The aim will be to improve customer choice and convenience – not to disadvantage those who are unable to or do not wish to make use of digital services.
Cllr O’Neill said: “Although the requirement to ensure services are available online is vital, it must always be complemented with a range of alternative customer methods.
“Those who prefer, or can only contact the council via more traditional methods, such as telephone or face to face, are assured that these methods will remain available.”
The council’s digital strategy prioritises objectives over a three year period.
A more detail action plan will be developed, setting out exactly how each objective will be achieved.
The council says it has already made much progress over the last 12 months with the launch of a new website that is easier to use and offers more opportunities to interact with council services.
There has also been increased use of social media to more effectively communicate with residents and businesses in the town.