*** Democracies Online Newswire - http://www.e-democracy.org/do *** From: http://www.socitm.gov.uk/pressrel/socprl26.htm Joint Press Release - SOCITM & CSSA 15 June 2000 E-government framework will support local innovation and flexibility say policy makers Policy-makers working on the framework for e-government have reassured local government ICT managers and suppliers that the proposals currently on the table will support local diversity and innovation. The conference held in London on 15 June was organised by the Society of Information Technology Management (SOCITM) and the Computing Services and Software Association (CSSA) had been organised to raise awareness of the issues surrounding implementation of e-government at local level. It was attended by 100 delegates from software and service suppliers along with leading public sector ICT policy makers from SOCITM, the Cabinet Office Central IT Unit (CITU), the Local Government Association and the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). As well as hearing presentations on e-government strategy and the GIF proposals, delegates participated in a series of workshops to examine the practicalities of interoperability standards as applied to three main areas:- e-billing for council services; address information and the exchange of personal information. These discussions raised a number of issues which will be fed back to CITU. Eddy Peers on behalf of the CSSA and Jim Haslem for SOCITM, welcomed the delegates to the conference. Jim Haslem said "Public service providers must have a clear framework of standards to enable effective joined up working. However, we must also ensure that local diversity of applications, so important in driving competition and innovation in local government ICT, is maintained. We hope and expect that our partners in the ICT supplier companies will co-operate on standards but continue to compete when it comes to implementation." Steve Fletcher of the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions stressed the importance of public and private sector organisations working in partnerships. "DETR has been working closely with the Local Government Association, The Improvement and Development Agency, The Cabinet Office and SOCITM on the concept of Electronic Service Delivery. We are also keen to ensure that the supplier organisations are involved in this process." Conference delegates heard Anwar Choudhury of the CITU tell then that under Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF) government IT strategy will be "browser lead" with the internationally approved XML becoming the standard for data exchange for joined up government. UK GovTalk, the first government/industry co-operation of its kind in the world, will provide XML schemas for use across government with open consultation process to ensure these can be reviewed by all interested parties. The government portal UK Online, will be available from September 2000, providing citizens with easy to use service access built around life episodes. The first four of these will be: having a baby, going away, dealing with crime and moving home. Summing up the event, Martin Ferguson, President of SOCITM said that the event had played an important role in ensuring that the supplier community is in a position to fully support progress towards e-local government. He also welcomed the government’s e-GIF initiative. Martin concluded that "SOCITM has committed substantial resources to defining the ICT implications of the Government's modernisation, best value and joined-up agendas for service delivery and local governance. Today's conference demonstrates the strength of goodwill that exists from all parties to lead collectively in making e- government a reality." For more information contact: Tim Dawes, SOCITM Information Age Government Programme Manager Phone: 02392 360747 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] SOCITM – The Society of Information Technology Management, represents ICT strategists and service managers working in of for the public sector, especially with local government. It is the leading provider of best practice advice and guidance on ICT and e-government to local authorities. CSSA – The Computing Services and Software Association is the main trade association for ICT companies operating in the UK. It has a number of special interest groups including an E-Government Working Group. ^ ^ ^ ^ Steven L. Clift - W: http://www.publicus.net Minneapolis - - - E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Minnesota - - - - - T: +1.612.822.8667 USA - - - - - - - ICQ: 13789183 *** Please send submissions to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** To subscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** Message body: SUB DO-WIRE *** *** To unsubscribe instead, write: UNSUB DO-WIRE *** *** Please forward this post to others and encourage *** *** them to subscribe to the free DO-WIRE service. ***
