sponsored by Eduserv
Awarded to the Government website project that can demonstrate a high degree of innovation and usability in providing its website service to citizens and/or local authorities and businesses. Entry is open to local authorities and central government departments.

2011 Winner: Lincolnshire County Council - www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Lincolnshire County Council has been working hard over the last year to develop a new website that offers many new features to keep up with shifting user demand, whilst at the same time keeping costs low. New features such as tabs and mega drop downs are in place to show the main elements of the site without having to navigate away from the homepage, resulting in improved usability. Other features include enhanced map based tools make finding services in Lincolnshire easier than ever before. This project has also made it possible for the council to share its CMS with district councils.

Commended: Tandridge District Council - tandridge.gov.uk
Over the last year, the aim of Tandridge’s web team was to achieve at least a three star rating from Socitm (moving from two stars), by improving the website generally and in particular usability and accessibility. The team worked on the navigation, search, general content and made use of automated checking tools as well as the technical expertise of its web company. In Better Connected 2011, tandridge.gov.uk was given three stars out of a possible four and named as one of the top 20 council websites in the country.

Commended: Wokingham Borough Council - wokingham.gov.uk
The website at Wokingham Borough Council is maintained by a team of three officers supporting 150 departmental authors who update their own content. In March 2011 the site was redesigned to make it more intuitive. This involved designing a new look, feel and structure, as well as simplifying content to make it easier to read online. The new style was developed using customer consultation and best practice guidance and well regarded websites from all sectors.

Commended: Stockport Council - stockport.gov.uk
Following an upgrade to Stockport Council’s content management system, a project was launched in November 2010 to redefine the user experience for visitors and further promote new media channels that link back into the corporate website, including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages. Interaction plus access to services and information via the website and new media has increased dramatically as a result of the project, which has brought the website up to date with the digital movement. All objectives were surpassed.

Commended: Brighton & Hove City Council - brighton-hove.gov.uk
Brighton & Hove City Council’s website revamp went live in February this year and has been led by feedback and user testing from residents. New features include a prominent ‘Do it now’ section where residents are directed to online transactions and new content such as an online welcome pack for people moving to the city. To accompany the redesign, the council introduced a ‘Council Connect’ service across libraries which helped residents less comfortable with computers find their way around the new site.