The Office of the e-Envoy is to take forward its policy to involve "intermediaries" in the delivery of e-government services, despite a range of concerns raised during an official consultation on the subject. The OeE's response to a three month consultation on its intermediaries policy said that organisations from all sectors had "widely welcomed" the plans.
But it also outlined some key concerns over the moves, which are designed to encourage public, private and voluntary bodies in the delivery of e-government services.
Overall, the policy was said to be unclear in key areas. Respondents to the consultation said that the framework "lacked a clear description on how an intermediary would engage with Government".
One group said to be neglected by the policy was local government.
Several respondents, according to the OeE, said that the framework "failed to recognise the role of local authorities in making the mixed economy successful".
There was also a call for further clarification on the legal position of councils using intermediaries to deliver services.
Concerns were also raised over the role of the OeE itself. While the majority said that the office should act as a "market regulator", establishing clear lines of accountability for organisations delivering public services, there were worries that it may be powerless to fulfil the role.
One respondent pointed out that to move forward with the agenda, the OeE would "need some really sharp teeth, which the organisation does not currently have". Douglas Alexander, the minister responsible for the policy said he was "encouraged" by the responses but noted that "further clarification and practical guidance is needed". He said that "implementation guidelines" for the intermediaries policy will be published "later in the year".
The consultation, which began in May 2003, attracted just 49 responses. Almost half (48%) were from the private sector with the rest from the public (23%) and voluntary sector (26%). Disappointingly, only one member of the public provided comment.
Quelle: Kablenet, 04.11.2003
