E-Government

Investigate the range and number of government services available

There are a wide range of government services that range from paying council tax and fines to how to claim certain benefits. The a list example can be seen at www.directgov.co.uk .

Which are for information only?

The sections of the website that are information only are the sections that contain reports and legal documents which cannot be altered as otherwise it would be a crime.  An example of this is at Tunbridge Wells borough council news section, here at http://www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=3996 .

Which are transactional?

Websites that allow you to pay for items and services. An example of this is at http://www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=2879 which is where you can pay off Parking penalty charge tickets.

Which involve some form of interaction?

Questionnaires and any video and sound clips include interaction needed to use them. The site may have some form of interactive educational game. An example of this is at http://www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=3610 where Tunbridge Wells borough council give you a questionnaire that you can fill out and e-mail to them as an alternative to printing it out and posting to them

What are the government’s targets for online interaction?

To speed up processes and lower the amount of paper sent to them as they would have it all automatic. It can also be used to benefit the citizen as it allows them ease of access and can use it any time of day whnever they feel like. An example I found is at http://www.gossinteractive.com/NCDC which details the North Cornwall district council.

What are Downing Street Petitions?

They are petitions that are sent to the Prime Minister requesting a change in policy or law. This is usually done in person but with the advent of the internet, they now use online petitions as well. 

What documents (reports, legal documents etc.) are available online?

The documents available online are any public notices of planning permission or bankruptcy as well as any news and legal documents. Tunbridge Wells borough council direct you to where you can find it  as they don’t have the specific information on their site

Find out statistics about your constituency

The Tunbridge Wells constituency is a safe Conservative seat having elected a Conservative MP every election since it’s creation in 1974. The current MP is Greg Clark. At the last election, Greg Clark polled 56% of the vote ahead of the Liberal Democrat MP in second, who polled 25%.

Can you contact your MP?

You can contact your MP through the government website or local council website. For the Tunbridge Wells Constituency it is at http://www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=801 which will tell you who your MP is and how to get in touch with them.

Can you discover your MP’s voting record?

You can see your MP’s voting record at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/ . For this example I am going to look for Greg Clark’s voting record which I could see at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/greg_clark/tunbridge_wells#votingrecord . 

Where is your local council refuse site?

You can look where your local council refuse site is on the respective local government website. For this I am using Tunbridge Wells’s borough council, whose information at http://www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1983 shows me that the local refuse site is the North Farm Refuse Tip.

What happens if you have rats?

If you have an out of control vermin problem you should report it to your local council who may issue enforcement action against them as it is an offence to allow rodent infestation. Tunbridge Wells give you the information here at http://www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=3816 which includes some information on how to help deal with it yourself.

How do you complain about blocked drains?

You can complain about blocked drains by e-mailing you local council who, despite not owning the drains have a duty to make sure there is sufficient drainage on properties and they will send a case officer around to assist you with the necessary work. Tunbridge Wells state here at http://www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=1424 what their policy is.