The South Wiltshire Community web THE SOUTH WILTSHIRE COMMUNITY WEB SUMMARY >>Innovative eGovernment solution developed by the South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance and supported by the ODPM >> A unique example of an eGovernment solution that is aimed squarely at community development objectives >>Total development costs less than £35,000 and - with running costs met from sponsorship - a totally sustainable eGovernment tool >>Community Web gives local businesses and voluntary groups the chance to create their own fully functional website for free. >> Simple type-and-go templates to create webpages, online diaries and news stories, advertisements and job vacancies, directories, documents and file uploads, weblinks and mailing lists. >>It really works! There are now more than 520 websites hosted on the South Wiltshire Community Web portal, which has had about 5.6m hits in the last 12 months. >>The website routinely has between 13,500 and 14,000 visits every month. >>Maintainenance is done by users — it involves negligible work for hosting agency. >> Anyone with an e-mail address can create a site, it requires no previous knowledge of HTML as it uses simple type-and-go templates >> It has enabled the Council to meet two ODPM egovernment outcomes, for independent councillors' websites and community websites. >> Other Council's are following the lead: West Oxfordshire is the first on board, launching its own community web on 12 September >> The system has attracted sufficient interest for Cravenplan to launch it as an off-the-shelf proven eGovernment solution. THE FULL STORY The message from public workshops organised by South Wiltshire local strategic partnership was clear: "Make people more aware of local services and facilities". Visitors to the workshops held across rural Wiltshire did not know what resources were available. Many of the 5,000 voluntary groups, clubs and businesses in the area had tiny budgets and struggled to promote themselves. They were missing out on members or work as a result, and worse the community was not getting the full benefit of the vital services on offer to them. South Wiltshire local strategic partnership's community planning team, based at Salisbury DC, decided to address the problem. It considered producing a printed directory, but agreed it was outdated and decided to explore a website instead. The choice led to the establishment of South Wiltshire Community Web, which allows anyone in the area to create a website at no cost and with no need for technical knowledge. It now has more than 500 microsites — covering everyone from local beekeepers to GPs — and has received nearly 6m hits since it was launched in May 2003. The site has up to 15,000 users out of a community of about 100,000. It has been a runaway success achieved at little more than the £46,000 start-up and development costs provided by the ODPM. Once it was up and running, the site cost the council virtually nothing because it is updated and maintained by its users. But getting to this point was not a simple journey, says project manager Steve Milton. The idea evolved as the team moved from consultation to developing the idea to procuring a company to provide the software. The need for the project was obvious. Improving information about services such as community transport schemes or rural businesses would bring them more customers and ensure they were viable. And many organisations and businesses did not have the resources or expertise to set up their own websites. But the final form of the website was less clear. An application for money from the Wiltshire and Swindon Pathfinder was submitted in 2001. But consultations with volunteers, businesses and councillors about its content continued until the grant was approved the following year. Those discussions resulted in a detailed specification for the website, covering the type of information it should carry, how it should be managed and policed, and its policy towards sponsorship and advertising. By now the idea had evolved from a website listing services to contact details to one allowing users to create and update their own microsites through the site's content management system. As far as the council was aware, nothing like it had been tried before. Giving users this access would cut ongoing costs of the site to virtually zero. Just as well, as no revenue budget had been approved. The specifications for the project then went to procurement, and local IT company Cravenplan Computers was chosen. The contract was more complicated than a simple agreement for the company to provide a website for a fixed fee. It gave Cravenplan the right to sell the software to other organisations but the council retained a say over how it was developed and marketed. The arrangement meant the company was prepared to invest more in the project's development and allowed the council to drive down the price. About 5% of the proceeds from each new sale go back to the council for reinvestment in the site. Sales so far have paid for new services such as job and classified advertisements to be included. The site is also expanding by including entries for local councillors. Eight have their own websites so far and there is a target to have all local district councillors online by December. Running costs are confined mainly to bills for web hosting and bandwidth charges. The team hopes sponsorship will pay for these. Mr Milton estimates that sponsorship of only £5,000 a year will cover running costs. With £3,000 secured from two sponsors - Unisys and Personnels Placements - already that target is likely to be exceeded giving a workable budget to develop and promote the service. Steve is also the sole moderator for the site, dealing with any complaints — so far there have been three — and deciding if rules have been broken or an entry should be removed. Work on the site takes him about one or two hours a week, but will eventually be devolved to a pool of people within the community. The Project Team confesses three things could have been improved. Initially, the site was not as accessible as it should have been —failing to offer easy-to-read text-only pages as well as conventional web pages. But offering this function could have delayed the launch and pushed up the cost, so it may have proved a blessing in disguise that it was added later. The site now has an innovative facility that creates plain text versions of every html page hosted. So all microsites now have text only versions that comply with Level 1 of the WC3 Standards. Work is continuing to improve this to Level 2 within the next 6 months. Key benefits to the Community: >>The site is free for all users >>Unbelievably easy to use - simply 'type-and-go' >>No previous knowledge of developing web sites required >>Designed and managed by the community for the community >>Easy and no-cost means for local organisations and small businesses to promote themselves and raise their profile in the community >>Encourages more individuals and organisations to become e-literate >>Significantly enhances communications within the community >>Can stimulate the local community and economy >> It is independent of the local authority and controlled by the commuhnity Key benefits to the sponsoring organisations: >>A simple low cost local e-government tool that helps you to implement some of the ODPM’s key deliverables and good e-government outcomes. >>Is up and running within four weeks >>Is self policing and requires minimal staff resources to run >>Running costs are typically £50 per month, which can be met and exceeded from sponsorship income >>Stimulates community regeneration & well being >>Increases access to information & services >>Promotes democratic activity in the community What others say... Cllr Frank Bissington, Chairman of Salisbury District Council 2003/04: "To me, it is the bell-ringers and beekeepers, Scottish dancers and flower arrangers of South Wiltshire that really make this project special - those groups and over 400 others like them have launched their activities into cyberspace thanks to the Community Web. And that is what it is all about - bringing the power of the Internet to local communities, helping to promote those vital local services and activities that are the lifeblood of our living communities." Cllr Jane Scott, Leader of Wiltshire County Council: "As an example of the way in which a partnership can use the very latest information technology to improve the quality of life for local people, South Wiltshire Community Web is a wonderful example." Guy Lowton, Chairman Shaftesbury Cricket Club: “We wanted to promote the club and its activities and the South Wiltshire Community web seemed a good way of doing it. We started by setting up a couple of simple pages and we now have a well developed site with fixtures, averages, news, in fact all the features you would expect from a fully functional website. The great thing for us is that the site is completely free. Most community groups like Shaftesbury CC run on half a shoestring so that is a Godsend. If we had wanted to develop a site like this using a professional Company we would have been looking at almost £500 plus annual maintenance costs. " Joy Underwood, Practice Manager, Bemerton Heath Surgery: "We run a large and busy medical facility serving the biggest Council housing estate in Salisbury saw the opportunity the South Wilts Community web would provide. The Bemerton Heath Surgery now has its own site giving information for patients. The site includes a welcome to the practice page, details of the medical and reception staff, an explanation on how to use the surgery for example making appointments, surgery hours, details of weekly clinics and health promotions, and details of the nearby pharmacy." Shrewton WI: "We were one of the first Wiltshire WI to have our own email address and now I think we are the first to have our own website which gives us lots of Kudos. We're hoping it will attract interest from as many people as possible. We are enormously proud of our website and it is great fun. In the past the WI had a reputation as being a bit stuffy and behind the times and our Institute is determined to change that and show we are well up with the 21st century." Mark Wareham is the Unison Branch Secretary for the Salisbury Hospital: "I saw the information about South Wilts free service and set up a site for my union branch. I then figured out that I could use it for something personal. I have an interest in tracing my family tree and I have been researching the archives in Dorset and Somerset for several years. I thought I would be able to share the information I had gathered about family history with others so much more easily via a website. I decided to have a stab at putting my research online and it has been much easier than I thought it would be. After two years, I now have quite an extensive site and it receives hits from all over the world." To view Mark’s site go to www.southwilts.com/site/My-family-history-by-Mark-Wareham. Martyn Fry runs the Salisbury and District Darts League: “It has been a great hit with darts players in the area, they can now log in to see the latest league tables, keep up with the fixture lists and catch up with all the news. I would say that if you can send an email, you could create a site on the community web. Now I have got the hang of it, there will be no stopping me – I have already started setting up a site for my village! I would recommend it to anyone running a local group or activity.” To view Martyn’s site, go to www.southwilts.com/site/Salisbury-and-District-Darts-League. Some more of our users... HEALTH St Melor Surgery Bemerton Heath Surgery Carol Webb SouthWilts Low Carbers Five Rivers Sensory Impaired Nurses Health services NHS Direct Disabilities Information Hospice Salisbury Hospital Health Online SWPCT The Detox Clinic stayconfident Salisbury Dyslexia Association Sharon Mustard Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist Health through Warmth Anger Trauma Depression Hypnotherapy by Ian Landon CHARITIES & COMMUNITY GROUPS St Edmunds Community Association Grovely IT Club Shrewton WI Sarum Trefoil Guild Dinton Village Hall Nadder Focus Harnham Neighbourhood Association Lopcombe Corner Neighbourhood Watch Salisbury Bemerton Townswomens Guild Tis Vis The Idyllists UNISON Community First Salisbury Lone Parent Family Community Group Wiltshire Witness Service Neighbourhood Watch Downton Link Redlynch Village Hall Mere Literary Festival Morgans Vale and Woodfalls Village Hall Salisbury and District Darts League RAOC Association Belarusian Victims of Chernobyl GWR Community Trust Friends of Salisbury Shopmobility Jeans for Genes South Wiltshire Mencap SSAFA Salisbury Sunshine Healthy Living Project Salisbury Council for Voluntary Service Alabare Dogs Trust Open Day and Fun Dog Show Chernobyl Children Life Line Salisbury Oxfam FAITH City Gate Salisbury Sarum St Martin Ringers St Martin Ringers Salisbury ST MARYS CHURCH All Saints Church Bells Winterslow St Birinus Church whyatt church anniversary All Saints and St Georges C of E Churches SUUF St James Church Ludgershall and Faberstown BUSINESS SITES Lanchester Consultants Cameo Fine Jewellery Wedding Music Service The Wiltshire Gallery Avon Security Blades Unisex Hair Salon Portfolio Travel AQUAMISER Garden Watering System PLANT POCKETS The Better Alternative to Plant Pots computek computer repairs Same Day Stringing Calypso Campers Kit2X Hy Clean Timeless Video Productions Your Move Ltd Romwy Positive Pixels Photography Unique Identity Farmers Market Music Movie and Games Store Salisbury Livestock Market Bilberry Kleeneze Stagecraft Ltd Inside Ambient Limited Priority Digital Clear Horizon Consultancy Rance Associates Alices in Wonderland Driving Lessons Jewellery Designs by AMD AzUR Designs Gems Effectiveweb TRANSPORT Amesbury Link Road Action Group Wilts and Dorset Bus Timetables Salisbury Transport 2000 Trainline National Express Coaches Tisbus Airports & Ferries Motoring Salisbury Community Cars Clarence Link schemes Salisbury MAG Newcutt Crossroads A360 Avenue Junction SPORT & LEISURE Farley Cricket Club Shrewton Cricket Club East Grimstead Reading Room Taekwondo ITF Steeple Langford Cricket Club Sarum Triatletes Wellington School of Dancing LDCC Fonthill CC Salisbury Tennis Club St Edwards SubAqua Club Lestrange Companye Forest School Of Dance And Theatre Arts Downton Band Durrington Rangers Football Club Lords Hill Model Flying Club Harnham Garden Society Salisbury String Orchestra Figheldean Table Tennis Club Abbatt Harnham Art Group Amesbury Walkers Sarum over 50s Group Flying Druids Model Aircraft club SCD wessex Wessex Soaring Association Amesbury Scottish Dance Club Salisbury Scottish Dance Group Spire Badminton Club Knightwood Kennels Tisbury Twisters Trampolining Club Durrington Swimming Pool Salisbury Community Choir Mere Amateur Dramatic Society Redlynch Horticultural Society Downton Leisure Centre Salisbury Sinfonia Broadchalke Bellringers Angling Salisbury Rifle and Pistol Club Chalke Valley Table Tennis Club Chalke Valley Sports Centre Downton Bridge Club Higher Octave Salisbury Big Band Personal Trainer Belly Dancing Suite Jazz Salisbury Fencing Club Shalimar Dance Troupe Salisbury Bonsai Society Salisbury Folk Dance Club Shaftesbury Cricket Club COGS Rights of Way Local Walks Ramblers Salisbury Arts Centre Salisbury Cinema Southampton Cinema Digital Photography Courses Salisbury Racecourse Studio Theatre Salisbury Musical Society Salisbury Chess Club South Newton and Wishford Village Hall Salisbury Floral Arrangement Society Salisbury Master Swimmers Aviary Birds SARUM ORIENTEERS Hampshire County Cricket Club Hamptworth Golf and Country Club Salisbury Bridge Club Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs Jung Shin Hapkido Salisbury Motorcycle Action Group Bemerton Flower Arrangers Salisbury Camera Club Colton Dancing Academy St John Singers Salisbury Sarum Hobnob Lacemakers Southern Photographic Federation Sarum Triathlon YOUNG PEOPLE 6th Salisbury Scout Group 6th Salisbury Air Scout Group Amesbury childminders Music Box 1st Boscombe Down Cubs Linn OCarroll Artist Alderbury Parent and Toddler Group Laverstock Scout Troop Wilts Play Wishford Toddler Group Connexions Wiltshire and Swindon Jo Jingles Wiltshire Scrapstore and Resource Centre ENVIRONMENT Rio plus 10 Environment Agency The Environment Agency Spiders in Wiltshire South Wiltshire Agenda 21 Wildlife Groups Environmental Information Planning Salisbury Wildlife Project SDC Parks Team Salisbury and District Beekeepers Association Wildlife Rescue Sailsbury Health Through Warmth Environment Wiltshire Wildlife Trust CULTURE AND HERITAGE National Archives Redlynch and District Local History Society Amesbury Town Band Wiltshire Buildings Record Dinton Historical Society Bemerton Local History Group Tisbury history Salisbury Museum Mere Museum Radnor Wilton House Arts Council Natural History Society Salisbury Cathedral Family Records Family History Wiltshire Victoria County History Manaraefan Vikings Graham Oliver Gallery South Wiltshire Industrial Archaeology Society Salisbury Civic Society Link Up Disability Arts My family history by Mark Wareham EDUCATION Salisbury Astronomical Society Tisbury Flower Group Wyvern College Redlynch School Lover and Redlynch Pre School Larkhill Primary School Salisbury College OFSTED Lifelong Learning UCAS TABS Allington Preschool TOURISM Saddlers Bed and Breakfast The Edwardian Lodge guest house Howards House Hotel The Village of Fovant Crabapple Cottage Bed and Breakfast Farleigh Wood PUBLIC SERVICES Councillor Jeremy Nettle Wilton Town Council Redlynch Parish Council Odstock Parish Council West Dean Parish Council Durrington Parish Council Cllr Sue Mallory Cllr Warrander Wilton Library Amesbury Library Mere Library Tisbury Library South Newton PC Fovant Parish Council Idmiston Porton and Gomeldon South Newton Parish Council Winterbourne Parish Council Parish Meeting SmartPlace Wylye Parish Council lga2000 East Knoyle News and Information Bulletin Figheldean Parish Council Alderbury Parish Council Bournemouth Community Pages Cllr Sample Cllr Wren Cllr Fear Cllr Draper Steve Knight South Wiltshire Strategic Alliance Parish and Town Council Liaison Meeting Councillor Peter Edge Northern Area Committee Parking Voting English Heritage CRISP UK Parliament Robert Key Recycling Centres Community Safety Trading Standards Social Services Police Fire Service Government Information Service Inland Revenue Southern Area Committee Western Area Committee IDeA MOD Police Scrutiny The Bulletin Salisbury and District TUC Household Waste and Recycling. PROJECT TEAM Steve Milton, Project Manager: smilton@salisbury.gov.uk Lynda Williams, Community Planning Consultant, Wiltshire County Council: lyndawilliams@wiltshire.gov.uk Louise Treseder, SW Rural Development Agency (since departed) David Neudegg, Salisbury District Council, Policy Director: dneudegg@salisbury.gov.uk Ariane Crampton, South Wiltshire Strategic, Alliance Partnership Team Manager: acrampton@salisbury.gov.uk Chris Stanbury, Managing Director, Cravenplan Computers Ltd: chris@cravenplan.co.uk [ENDS].