Hillingdon scoops Local Authority Website of the year award with technology from GOSS Interactive

Hillingdon Council has won the Local Authority Website of the Year award, at The Good Communication Awards, which recognise excellence in public sector communications.

Hillingdon.gov.uk, built on GOSS iCM from GOSS Interactive, was recognised for its simple layout and navigation, quick access to useful tools and important information, and for the work carried out by the e-communications team to improve use of the site, through social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter.

Stephen Cross, E-communications Manager at London Borough of Hillingdon, comments, "We are very proud of how the website, looks, feels and helps to serve the needs of Hillingdon residents.  The site is built on GOSS iCM from GOSS Interactive which gives us the flexibility to tailor different areas of the site to specific needs; so we can provide online services for paying bills and reporting problems, for example, alongside important campaigns and sources of information."

Judge comments, Good Communication awards:  "...An all-round excellent Local Authority Website, visually pleasing, well constructed with a wide range of information content directly available to the citizen. The Website enables a high level of citizen interactive engagement and on-line services with good access support for the disabled. Simplicity of presentation is evident at all levels with supporting geospatial information provided to assist citizen understanding where necessary. This is an excellent Local Authority Website, demonstrating innovative content delivery and citizen engagement - streets ahead..."

Rob McCarthy, Managing Director at GOSS Interactive adds, "The team at Hillingdon is using GOSS iCM in the most effective way, building a site which looks and feels easy to use, while achieving a number of complex communications goals.  Hillingdon is a forward thinking authority which is reaping the rewards of a well thought out and well developed website. We offer our congratulations on their achievements and award win."

Hillingdon's website was awarded a Bronze at the LG Comms awards in June and demonstrated a 166% increase in online transactions between March 2008 and March 2009. In December the site was rated the best in London by Sitemorse.