UK funds local "e-innovation" projects: The UK government has announced that 34 local e-government projects have been approved for support through its "e-innovations fund." The fund, announced by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in September 2003, will support the first round of winning projects to the tune of STG6.2 million. A total of STG14 million will be made available to local government projects over the financial years 2004 to 2006. The projects range from "virtual tours" of local council facilities to text messaging services to improve access to services for those living in rural communities. Projects were chosen based on their innovativeness in one of four areas: e-learning, which refers to the use of e-government to boost information sharing and staff development; bridging the digital divide; the use of emergent technology to improve government services; and local authority e-business. The funding is part of the wider STG675 million Local e-Government Programme.
Glasgow upgrades communications network: Glasgow City Council has selected Scottish telecoms company Thus for a STG42 million contract to upgrade and replace the council's communications network infrastructure. Thus, which works for 22 of Scotland's 24 local authorities, beat off competition from larger rivals BT and NTL in the final round of bidding for the contract. The six-year deal will see Thus replace the council's existing telecoms infrastructure with a VoIP (voice over IP) solution across around 400 council sites, enabling the delivery of increased voice and data services. The council said the upgrade will support projects such as a new council Web site, its e-Care programme, and a range of e-government projects. The new network is also designed to make it easier for Glasgow residents to communicate with the council: the contract includes the provision of e-enabled public kiosks and an SMS service.
EU launches e-security agency: The EU has officially launched the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), a body set up to promote e-security across Europe. The new agency, which will initially operate until the end of 2008, aims to foster increased co-operation between EU member states on issues of network and information security. ENISA will help the European Commission and national governments to identify, respond to and prevent e-security problems. The agency's ultimate aim is to become a centre of expertise where member states and EU institutions can seek advice on security issues. The new body is restricted to an advisory function and has not been given the role initially envisioned by the Commission of being a standardisation body for security standards. More information is available from the ENISA Web site, www.enisa.eu.int.
Finland hails success of on-line crime reporting: The Finnish police force has declared its on-line crime reporting service a success. Since the service was established 12 months ago, around 23,000 crime reports have been made through the police Web site, www.poliisi.fi. Citizens who visit the site can report details of stolen or damaged property or acts of vandalism. Users fill in an electronic form, which is then sent to the relevant city police department, and a confirmation notice is issued. Making a false report is a punishable crime, the Web site warns. The majority of reports filed in the past 12 months related to stolen property, while nearly 7,000 reports were in relation to property damage. Police Commissioner Seppo Aunola said the service had helped reduce queues in police stations, making their services more efficient.
Victoria plans electronic land transfers: Victoria is about to become the first state in Australia to offer on-line conveyancing, the legal process involved in buying and selling property. Traditionally, conveyancers, solicitors and bankers come together in person to complete a property settlement, but the new initiative will enable such meetings to take place on a secure Web site. "Electronic conveyancing will eliminate the paper shuffle that occurs before settlement day, the manual drawing and depositing of bank cheques into accounts and the need for people to meet in the same room to exchange documents and cheques," said Planning Minister Mary Delahunty, announcing a pilot project for the scheme which is due to begin later this year. Delahunty predicts that the new on-line system has the potential to yield savings of around USD100 million a year, with savings for the parties involved expected to filter down to consumers.
Quelle: Electricnews Net, 24.03.2004
