Post in CLG, ICELE and Lichfield

May 29 18:11 UTC

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