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The Modernising
Government White Paper (1999) and the Strategic Framework for e-Government
(2000) set clear visions for transforming government and providing modern
internet- enabled public services focused on the needs of the customer. Since
then a great deal of water has flowed under the bridge: departments and local
authorities are implementing e-business strategies, many on-line services are
up and running, many
components of the national infrastructure are in place, and the e-delivery
landscape has become considerably more complicated. At the same time
much remains to be done, in particular improving take-up of e-services,
providing functions that are genuinely joined-up and customer-focused, and -
critically - genuinely transforming the heart of government and the way it
works. This might be summarised as
moving from internet-enabled services to internet-transformed government, by
which the radical and challenging reforms of the original MG ideals are
actually delivered.
But who is charged with delivering this agenda and who has the authority to
do so? Who is responsible for providing the various components of
infrastructure and core/common services? How is duplication to be avoided so
that funds are invested in the most cost efficient manner? What exactly
is the relationship between the Centre, the departments and agencies, and
Local Authorities in terms of who does what? There is an urgent need for the
strategic vision to be re-stated and the roles of various authorities,
departments and agencies to be clarified so that all participants can once
again have a clear view of the whole picture.
How could EURIM, with its unique ability to bring together Parliamentarians,
Officials and Suppliers, contribute to this agenda? Jonathan Tamblyn of
LogicaCMG has kindly agreed to manage a scoping exercise to see how a new
Strategic Framework for e-Government might be developed and, if there is
sufficient support, to lead a MG sub group to take this work forward.
A planning meeting will be held at 1400 on Tuesday 1 April in London (venue
tbc) to scope the issues, agree objectives and outline a way forward. Please
let us know if you would like to attend and you will be sent an agenda and
map. If you cannot attend but would like to register your interest in
this topic and receive papers and minutes, please let me know by replying to
this email and I will ensure that details are circulated accordingly.
To some extent this activity will build on EURIM's previous work on the
e-Government Route Map and the Guide to Modernising Government that were
produced in 2001.
In the meantime, should you need further details, or information on the other
activities of EURIM's Modernising Government group, please do not hesitate to
contact me.
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