Webster Community Portal

 

Torfaen County Borough Council, covering Cwmbran and Pontypool, did not want a conventional image for its community portal. "We felt we had to get something to appeal to a wide spectrum of citizens."

 

The result is www.webster.uk.net|. The portal was launched after extensive research to find what local people wanted from the web. As well as picking the name, local citizens, community support groups and businesses provide much of the site's content. Some 200 organisations have been invited to contribute.

 

Bob Wellington, the council's acting leader, says the portal has a distinct role. "Webster isn't just about providing council services online; we're trying to rejuvenate the local area by enabling businesses to achieve a web presence that makes a difference. It also gives citizens the chance to enhance their IT skills - as well as gain access to information on educational courses - to tackle issues such as unemployment and outward migration."

 

The council is also providing PCs and broadband links as part of the scheme. People without internet connections at home can use the site at 30 council internet kiosks.

 

The council involved local citizens, support groups and businesses in the design and content of the portal, by holding workshops to acquire in-put and feedback.

 

Community contributors are allowed up to five pages of their own content. This can be split between public and private pages. Bulletin boards and forums are also available on private pages.

 

Contensis CMS allows "devolved authors" to update or amend their sections of the site at any time and only a small amount of training is required, even for those in the community with little or no computer experience.

 

Building on this success Torfaen County Borough Council are now working with our professional services team on their exciting new website, which is due to be launched in the near future.