Prime Minister Gordon Brown recognises public sector technology innovators as e-Government National Awards winners are announcedThe best of the best in public sector technology implementation have gathered in London for the sixth annual e-Government National Awards ceremony at the London Guildhall.Covering national and local government, the NHS and other public sector organisations, awards were handed out across eleven categories, recognising outstanding achievement and innovation which has helped businesses and citizens interact with Government. Out of almost 450 entries, a panel of expert judges managed to choose 72 finalists, which they then painstakingly whittled down to the eventual winners and highly commended nominations. There was a particular emphasis this year on efficiency gains, close team working and initiatives that provided multiple benefits through cross-agency collaboration. Winners included the National Archives’ publication of the 1911 Census and a scheme by Suffolk County Council allowing disabled children to book short breaks online. For a full summary of the winners, please see PublicTechnology.net. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, addressing the ceremony via video link, said: "Looking at the standard of this year's entries, it's not difficult to see why the UK is one of the world leaders in the delivery of e-Government and the digital economy." "The growing use of information technology is an important factor in people's rising aspirations and expectations. It is more important than ever to foster a culture of innovation and to recognise success." Attending the Awards ceremony, Cabinet Office Minister Angela Smith said: "We are living in the Digital Age, where technology is transforming almost every part of people's lives. Banking, shopping, learning, socialising... the opportunities presented by the internet and other communication and information technology are limitless. People rightly expect their public services to keep pace with the positive changes in their own lives." "It gives me great pleasure to give the proper recognition to those who lead the way in delivering that vision, as all of the e-Government Awards winners and nominees obviously do. We can now look forward together to delivering the services people need in the way they want them." Ben Heald, CEO of Sift Media, the online publisher behind the Awards’ parent publication PublicTechnologies.net, said: "We've seen real evidence tonight of the very tangible impacts that these initiatives have on peoples' lives. It demonstrates very clearly to me that the more we improve, the more we can achieve. The passion and dedication we’ve seen in this year’s nominations makes me really enthusiastic to see what next year’s Awards entries might look like." Donald Graham, Chief Executive Hertsmere Borough Council and Phil Coppard OBE, Chief Executive of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council said on behalf of SOLACE: "This year's entrants continue to demonstrate the strong vein of improvement and innovation present in the public sector. We were particularly pleased by the strong showing from local government. While a competition by definition necessarily produces winners and losers the judges had some difficult decisions to make. We hope all entrants will be encouraged by their participation in the national awards scheme for e –government to see this as a learning and sharing experience that ultimately benefits the many citizens reliant upon our services. These innovations and partnerships are strong evidence of mature organizations that can and do make a fundamental difference to the quality of peoples’ lives through the intelligent use of technology." And, Steve Palmer, President of Socitm & CIO at the London Borough of Hillingdon says: "Judging the e-Government National Awards this year has been exciting and thought provoking. The quality of submissions overall has been high with some exceptional, stand out, examples of technology being used positively to change the lives and opportunities of the people we exist to serve." Keith Bannister, UK Head of IT Advisory for Government, KPMGM, said: "KPMG is proud to be lead sponsor of the awards for the fifth year running, for us this is a way of recognising and celebrating all the good work that’s been done." "We believe that e-government has helped to transform public services in this country, it has made them more open, more accessible and more efficient. A key theme of this year's Awards is Government services which help build a fairer, more inclusive society. E-Government gives all citizens and businesses the opportunity to interact directly with services and government which is why we think e-Government is helping to build a fairer society." Awards sponsor Graham Dupree, head of sales, Government, H2O Networks said: "The innovation and use of technology demonstrated in the entries this year has been outstanding. These awards acknowledge creative thinking in the public sector which has gone a long way to ensure that citizens and consumers are benefiting from much improved services making a real difference to their lives." The charitable beneficiary of the e-Government National Awards dinner was the Information Technologists' Company Charity (www.wcit.org.uk) - with funds raised going to help its work in assisting the lives of the disadvantaged. |
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