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1st March 2004

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Community Web

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Project Manager Steve Milton outlined improvements being made to the Community Web that would be on-line in May.

Steve commented that in the year since its launch, the Community Web had attracted over 370 users online including many parish councils.

Following consultation and feedback with parishes a number of improvements were being introduced to make the community web simpler and more functional.

Key changes included a simple document upload template allowing parishes to put minutes, agendas and other documents online. There will be a simple directory template to allow parish clerks to list clubs, societies, businesses in their area – this could also be used to provide contact details for parish councillors. There will also be a new links template that will enable parish clerks to link up with local web sites in the parish. Other improvements will see users able to reorder pages on their sites; an improved news service and a makeover for the home pages.

The community web is intended to give any community organisation, small business or voluntary group the ability to create and maintain a fully functional website for free. It is designed to be easy to use so that the community organisations themselves can be in control of their own updating and information.

Steve said that all parish councils would be invited to a launch of the site in May at which there would be a chance to try out the site with the help of the project team.

The advantages of using this free site as opposed to other providers is that this project is geared specifically towards South-Wiltshire. It has the backing of the South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance partners including the County and District Councils, The Police, Primary Care Trust, Hospital, College, as well as the private and voluntary sectors. The funding is secure and this means any parish that dedicates time to creating a website has the knowledge the service will be there in the future. A Parish will also know that because all content and advertising is strictly controlled by the Alliance, users of the Community Web and will not be exposed to any inappropriate material.

Steve drew attention to the user guide that can be downloaded from the home page of the site and indicated that he was available to help any parish get their pages online.

Steve informed the parishes present that use of the site does not require broad band internet access as the content can be created and edited offline before going on line to upload. The service can also be accessed free of charge in all local libraries by anyone with an email address and library card making it possible for clerks to maintain sites without incurring any dial up connection charges. In connection with this item, Richard Parsons of West Dean expressed the need for parish Council’s to press BT for the installation of broadband enabled exchanges as soon as possible and this was supported by many present. Contact Steve Milton 01722 434255