Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 3 April 2000 For Use: Immediately

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Website (www.cne-siar.gov.uk) has been commended in a recent article in Public Finance Magazine.

In a feature in the issue dated 24th March, David Walker, editor of the Guardian newspaper's Analysis pages, said: "Some local authority sites are super. The Western Isles Council is not just bilingual in English and Gaelic but light and witty; it radiates, with copious use of photographs, genuine local pride."

The Comhairle's website contains a range of information including What's On, information about the Council, contact names and addresses, access to the Gaelic Resource database, library opening hours, the Minch Project, the museum, library opening hours, situations vacant and much more. There are also links to other local sites.

Chairman of Land, Property and Technology on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr. Norman L. Macdonald, said:

"The website has previously received awards for its content and style but it is pleasing to see that the efforts of the staff involved in developing the website are being recognised and appreciated. According to the article many local authority websites are a bit uninspiring so it is particularly pleasing that the Comhairle has been singled out for praise. It is important that local authorities take forward the whole issue of I.T. which offers so much in terms of opening up local government and making the process more accessible to people. There are many opportunities ahead in the field of I.T. and the Internet and it is important that the Comhairle is at the forefront of the continuing communications revolution".

The Comhairle has developed the use of new technology and recently held the first paperless committee meeting when Councillors were given reports on CD and made use of laptop computers.

Minutes of meetings are already on the Internet and the Comhairle recently launched a pilot scheme whereby reports to the Land Property and Technology Committee are electronically posted onto the net.

The Comhairle has also recently appointed a Web Development Officer with an initial specific remit of creating a website of interest to young people in the Western Isles.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer