Clients

Residents and business interests in Aston, Hertfordshire

The objectives

q	To provide a ready means of keeping people in touch with policies & events

q	To provide a vehicle to survey opinion and campaign for change

q	To facilitate an information exchange and a medium for community consultation

q	To have quick links to relevant government departments & agencies and other useful sites

The rationale

Prior to the introduction of this service, the community relied largely on the monthly Parish Magazine for information. Sometimes, publication timetables meant that news, became old news, and by the time the Magazine arrived some of the forthcoming events were no longer forthcoming. Less than 40% of residents subscribe to the magazine.

The community was about to embark on a major planning consultation exercise on an evolving basis. The cost of updated hard copy distribution to each household of the material was prohibitive. Given the evolving nature of the consultation, it was felt that something more dynamic and readily up dateable was required to ensure everyone was kept aware of the latest position, at the same time.

The approach

Building on the our local neighbourhood’s email-net service, which reached out to over 50% of the community CSS designed, constructed and published www.astonparish.net.

Outcome and impact(s)
Broadband campaign managers across the UK
Guidance to the general public on telecommunication issues

q	Over 50% of the community have joined this sponsored service

q	Neighbourhood Watch notices now reaches many more than before

q	Communications are shorter, as the mail points viewers to updates on the web site

q	The medium, has helped recruit volunteers to support events, far more effectively

q	The service has brought the community closer together, and kept people in touch

An example of feedback