The Scottish Executive has announced further details of its e-government programme.
It is to spend £30m over the next two years on projects which include an integrated children's services record, a voluntary citizens' entitlement card and a geographical database for property management.
Public bodies in Scotland have until April 2004 to submit bids for the latest round of funding which is part of an overall budget of £95.5m allocated for reaching e-government targets.
A priority, according to the Executive, is to further develop Customer Relationship Management technology in local authorities in order to help people get access to services.
The CRM technology is to be used for services such as waste collection, benefits claims, and even arranging for a civil marriage.
Councils involved in Scotland's CRM programme are able to deal with 80% of their transactions using the technology, according to a statement from the Executive.
Another key programme is to set up electronic links between local authority social work departments and the NHS. The aim is to set up a secure facility to share and exchange data. As part of the programme, work is to be undertaken on an integrated children's services record.
The Executive is also to study the options for a citizen's entitlement card. Scotland's local authorities could play a role in developing the technology for the card with possibilities for use including registration and catering in schools, booking leisure facilities, library lending and booking travel fares.
Andy Kerr, the minister for finance and public services, said:
"We have produced guidelines for the Modernising Government Fund following consultation with our key service providers. The overwhelming response has been that we should consolidate and build on the good work and the priorities already established by earlier rounds of the fund.
"We need to build on this achievement, providing more effective and more responsive services to the public, sharing best practice effectively and avoiding re-inventing approaches unnecessarily. Just as importantly we can provide real help to those involved in our front line services, making their jobs better and more productive as a result."
Quelle: Kablenet, 18.02.2004
