Post in CLG, ICELE and Lichfield

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Briggs" <dave@change2.org>
To: <ukie@groups.dowire.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 9:15 PM
Subject: Re: [UKIE-EDem] CLG, ICELE and Lichfield


Sorry for being dim, but does this mean the end of ICELE or the end of
Lichfield's involvement?

Or are they the same?

Dave

On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 7:11 PM, Steven Clift <clift@publicus.net> wrote:
> This came across my desk today. What next for e-democracy and the UK
> government/DCLG? Where will the online resources from the original
> national project be archived online? - Steven Clift
>
>
> *County Councillor Matthew Ellis*
>
> *Chairman of ICELE*
>
> Office: 01543 480644
>
> <email obscured>
>
> 29^th May 2008
>
> Dear Colleague
>
> Im writing to thank you for the invaluable support you have given to
> the International Centre of Excellence for Local eDemocracy (ICELE) over
> the last eighteen months or so.
>
> We have been awaiting a decision on the future of ICELE from our
> sponsoring Government Department (CLG) but that decision which was
> promised consistently since December 2007 has not been forthcoming.
>
> Although the termination date for ICELE was originally contracted as the
> end of March this year we agreed, at CLGs request, to maintain the
> Centres basic core operation for a further three months to discuss the
> way forward in promoting local eDemocracy. Unfortunately, although some
> talks have taken place, no decision or indication of CLGs future plans
> in this important area of work have been forthcoming, or what form or
> structure ICELE could take. I am therefore in the process of
> implementing an exit strategy plan which will see ICELE cease operations
> of any kind with Lichfield DC as the accountable body after the end of
> June.
>
> I want to take this opportunity also to highlight some of the positive
> work done by the dedicated people and organisations involved directly
> and indirectly with the Centre. Firstly, it is worth remembering that
> ICELE didnt exist two years ago and yet has built a positive and
> recognisable reputation earning trust in local government and public
> bodies in the UK and abroad. Some specific work includes:
>
>    * An award winning vibrant website and regular e-newsletters
>      disseminating good practice
>    * Support for numerous programmes and regional work from events such
>      as North East Connects Changing the Role of the Frontline
>      Councillor programme to championing ePetitions with events in
>      Bristol and with London Connects in Kingston Upon Thames
>    * Developing Bloginabox to the point where it could now encourage
>      more Elected Members than ever before to use simple technology to
>      build a new type of relationship with their electorate
>    * Taking over from CLG the development of the VOICE Community Portal
>      so it is now in a mature state and virtually self sustainable on
>      cost and support, and becoming more widely used by local
>      authorities with over 2,800 users representing 342 communities
>    * Winning substantial European Commission funding as part of two
>      different international partnerships to enhance understanding and
>      good practice around eParticipation
>
> Contd
>
>
> There is much more which has been established and taken up by those
> involved with the innovative promotion of eDemocracy and eParticipation.
> As we have not been advised on any arrangements for transition, we will
> have to assume that products such as VOICE and Bloginabox/Readmyday will
> revert to CLG and everything else will simply cease on 30^th June.
>
> At ICELE we genuinely hope that Government will pursue ways of taking
> forwards those areas which will make a real difference to our democratic
> process and encourage greater public participation in future.
>
> Finally, I want to thank and pay tribute to the ICELE Board, our
> partners and particularly to the small band of people who work directly
> for the Centre for their dedicated efforts in moving this important
> agenda forwards.
>
> Yours sincerely,
>
>
> County Councillor Matthew Ellis
>
> Chairman & Conservative Party board member
>
>
> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange now contains the following file
>
>    http://groups.dowire.org/r/file/293-2008-05-29T181141Z
>    Name: letterf.doc
>    Tags: "attachment"
>    Type: application/msword
>    Size: 79KB
>
>
>
> Member profile for Steven Clift:
> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/stevenclift
>
>
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--
Dave Briggs
<email obscured> | http://davepress.net | 020 8133 8008 (Skype) 07525
209589 (Mobile)

Member profile for Dave Briggs:
http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/davebriggs


-----------------------------------------

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