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Public Sector Roundup: Councils cut their paperwork

Dover cuts paper use with email notices, Mid Sussex gets up-to-date with e-forms, and two councils share a £1.8 million email and calendar system.

By Nicole Kobie, 21 Aug 2007 at 12:55

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Dover launches e-service to cut paper use

Dover District Council is offering benefit notifications, council tax bills and other notices by email to help save paper. While some documents can not legally be sent electronically, the council said the new "Sign Me Up" feature will help protect the environment and show a commitment to modernisation of services.

Councillor Stephen Manion, cabinet member for corporate resources and ICT said: "We are working hard to provide the latest services and save natural resources, and this register will help save time, paper and money. We are very pleased to be launching this new service and we hope as many people as possible will be saying 'Sign Me Up'."

Mid Sussex trade paperwork for e-forms

New online electronic forms will make it easier for residents to claim benefits and change personal information, according to Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC).

If used promptly by residents, the e-forms could help the council cut down on the half a million pounds spent annually on overpayment of benefits when claimant's circumstances change, such as when a child moves back home or as a result of a rise in income.

Councillor Sue Seward, MSDC cabinet member for resources and service support said: "We want to ensure that our benefit payments are as accurate as possible. E-forms are another great way for residents to inform the council of a change in circumstances. Up-to-date claimant information enables the Council to pay residents the correct amount of benefit and avoids the need for residents to re-pay overpayments at a later date".

Councils get new email and calendar system worth £1.8 million

Newcastle and North Tyneside councils have signed a five-year contract worth £1.8 million with Northgate Information Solutions for a new email, calendar and archiving system for 11,000 users.

The joint-deal was designed to help improve the partnership between the councils.

Terry Goulding, infrastructure services manager at Newcastle City Council, said: "Through undertaking a joint procurement exercise with North Tyneside Council we have also realised additional efficiencies, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership further over the coming years."