Try out East Riding Council’s new website

New website - "great improvement"

THE NEW WEBSITE for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council is available to preview at http://preview.eastriding.gov.uk/welcome/

Using a new format of ASK, DO and FIND the new website certainly seems easier to navigate than the existing one (which is still up and running as normal during the preview period).

HU12 looked for information on a specific Council Committee, for Hedon Library, our local councillors and we searched for a map of the South West Holderness Ward. We found the first three pieces of information in four clicks - the Ward Map, however, could not be found within the limits of the preview site.

ASK is your starting point. You should be able to find what you are looking for through clicking on one of the frequently asked questions. If not, then you can do a more detailed search through Browse our site menu which lets you search through 7 popular headings. You can opt to go straight to FIND  - which uses an A - Z search facility first, but unless you are very clear on which heading letter to use then you could be searching for some time. You can also use a Sitemap search which lists useful services under the 7 headings. The DO part of the site is the action orientated part of the website - here you can Pay, Apply, Book or Report.

The MyEastriding feature is particularly useful and accessed through entering your post-code. After clicking on your address from the list which conveniently pops up, you are then presented with a page listing more local options. You can search for your local facilities (including Hedon Library and local councillors contact details), and you can report any local issues directly online without visiting the DO part of the website. There is also a useful search facility in conjunction with NHS Choices which allows you to search for local GPs and dentists.

In short, the Council's new website - in this Previewer's opinion - is a great improvement on the old one! Please note: The Council is keen to let previewers know that test site is not complete. Some pages, information and documents may be missing and some buttons may not work at the moment.

Preview at: http://preview.eastriding.gov.uk/welcome/

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East Riding Council Tenants - Online!

COUNCIL TENANTS in the East Riding now have their own website at www.ertol.co.uk which contains information for tenants and useful contacts, including who your tenant representatives might be.

The website has been created through a working collaboration between Goole College students and Tenant Representatives. The result is an easy-to-navigate site that allows you to find out about the work of the East Riding Tenants' Forum. A map of the 'East' area will take you to a list of tenant groups in South Holderness which includes informal groups in Preston, Roos, Thorngumbald and Aldborough, plus the only formal Tenants Association which is the St Patrick's Green TA in Patrington.

There is also a Guestbook that you can complete (although I took too long to complete my message and got timed out after only a few minutes - Ed) which can be used to leave comments and opinions. The website also contains a useful link to the House Exchange which is the national tenants home swap scheme.

Perhaps a useful development now, would be creating more hyperlocal-type websites for those Associations and informal groups that wish to play a more pro-active online role in their areas?

Visit www.ertol.co.uk and see the website for your self.

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Blog Services available via HU12 and The Hedon Blog

SERVICES TO LOCAL GROUPS AND PEOPLE:

Advertising: In efforts to generate some income to improve what the Hedon Blog and HU12 websites can offer in the area, then some limited advertising opportunities are now available on HU12. Those who advertise on HU12 will get their sponsorship acknowledged on the Hedon Blog.

Website design: The Hedon Blog and HU12 both use free blogging software that is easy to set-up, design and use. If your group wants its own free-to-operate website, then we might be able to help you. We can help you set up your website and show you how to update it and share your content with others.

The websites are free, but a fee will be charged for a 2-hour session to get it up and running and to coach you in using your software. But in return for that fee, you will continue to get support for up to 6-months or until you don't need help anymore.

Consultancy: Founding and maintaining a hyperlocal website involves developing and honing particular skills. There are technical, community, 'audience' development and journalism skills to learn. But above all, it takes time!

It takes time - months, perhaps even years - to acquire the skills and experience necessary to manage a hyperlocal website. However, having the assistance of someone who has been through that process, just might speed things up!

So... If you have a project idea; for example, if you want to develop a company Blog or a website aimed at a particular community, then the Hedon Blogger just might be able to help through consultancy advice and support! 

If you want to find out more, then e-mail Ray Duff at the hedonblog@gmx.com.

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