Boom in online Council services

8.17.35pm GMT Mon 17th Mar 2008

• THE popularity of Richmond Council's website has surged in the past year as more services than ever before can now be accessed online.

Over 2.4 million visits were made to the site last year, up from 1.5m the year before. From paying Council Tax or Business Rates to reserving a library book, a huge range of services are available 24 hours a day. The Council recently achieved its highest ever rating in a survey of all 468 local authority websites by the Society of Information Technology Management. It rated the Richmond site in the top 20 nationally, and in the top three in London.

Cabinet Member for Communities on Richmond Council, Sir David Williams, said: "We are delighted with the popularity of the new website which gives people round the clock access to more Council services than ever before. The results of the national survey are also very pleasing. The website is essential to providing the information our residents, businesses and visitors need, when they need it and we remain committed to improving and expanding the service."