IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

London Connects will soon start work on an efficiency strategy with Capital Ambition, the improvement partnership for public sector authorities in London, and the London Centre of Excellence, a regional lead organisation for local government efficiency.

The Norwich Council Information Centre, in the Millennium Library, boasts a team of specially trained staff able to advise people on anything from bin collection dates to reporting potholes.

The Business and Enterprise Committee has found that the public is "deeply sceptical" about the extent to which it is acceptable to offer public services only online. Citing previous research that agreed with its theory, it said there is widespread concern that certain disadvantaged groups in society might lose out because of their inability to access or use the internet. Particular reference was made to older people who do not know how to use the internet and to low income groups who may not be able to afford a computer and internet connection at home.

"The Partnership," as it is called -- which includes East Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire; Harborough District Council, Leicestershire; Melton Borough Council, Leicestershire; Rutland County Council and South Kesteven District Council, Lincolnshire -- decided to work together for mutual benefit.

Five hundred public sector organisations in north Yorkshire will be connected to a single high-speed network as part of a major shared services initiative.

North Yorkshire County Council has teamed up with BT to deliver NYnet, which will allow schools to share applications and online seminars, while child protection services will be able to collaborate better with police and share information.

While public-sector leaders likely read the same best-selling books explaining how to collaborate, how to innovate and how to change government as we know it, there are only a few who actually start meaningful collaborations or actually innovate. Most people agree that collaboration and innovation are good things, so what’s stopping the changing of government?

The information-sharing capability, crucial component of the federal government comprehensive strategy to locate and remove convicted criminal aliens, is now linked to all California police agencies with the purpose to identify undocumented and documented aliens, who have been arrested.

The implemented system will alert ICE with biometrics-fingerprints when potentially removable aliens are booked into local jails, so they can have access to all of the state's county prisons to take jurisdiction over immigrants charged with crimes.

CIO Jack Belcher explained to Government Technology that employees wanted to know things like how to integrate with the county’s email system, advice on the best note-taking app, and how to maximize device battery life.

Three Los Angeles departments recently announced a joint plan to tackle the digital divide with a focus on IT upskilling, digital literacy through library technology and remote digital accessibility utilizing the public park system.

In a world so intricately spurred by evolving tech innovation, those without reliable Internet access or technological resources face significant disadvantages. Limited access to the Internet, digital devices such as computers, and even the knowledge necessary to utilize new technology hinder individuals' ability to pursue educational opportunities, find employment, access health-care services and engage in civic participation.

In an unassuming building near McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, 14 different agencies from federal, state and local government work together toward one goal: to keep residents and tourists safe. One of three fusion centers in the state, the SNCTC stands out because it’s an all-hours operation that focuses not only on terrorism, but also on all crimes and hazards.

The Saginaw County controller and his counterparts in Bay and Midland counties expect to form a tri-county committee in the Great Lakes Bay Region searching for common ground and ways to share services as budgets and property values shrink.

“The business practices have progressed beyond boundaries, and the three counties and possibly other municipalities could combine services... and reduce the cost,” McGill said. “Just having one service like mosquito control for three different counties... maybe doesn’t make as much sense as having one to serve the whole area.”

“We’re wondering if there isn’t an opportunity to aggregate the volume, drive some costs down and work more cooperatively,” Petty said. Oregon’s Geospatial Enterprise Office is responsible for about 30 terabytes of GIS storage. If the other states store a similar amount, the four-state consortium would spend a combined $15 million annually on GIS storage, the RFI says.

The Government Open Code Collaborative (GOCC) is first and foremost about sharing the code that other government officials have already paid for or developed.

The New England Patriots exhibit many characteristics important for successful collaboration in e-government, according to Tad Anderson, associate administrator for e-government and information technology at the Office of Management and Budget.

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices created the alliance as a forum for elected state officials and other policy-makers to work together to resolve issues related to the exchange of medical information.