Implementing E-Government in the UK: An Analysis of Local-Level Strategies

Since 1997, an array of initiatives collectively known as the local government modernization agenda has been launched by the UK Government. This can be viewed as an attempt to transform the structures and performance of UK local authorities. A parallel set of initiatives – the electronic government agenda has been launched since 2000, and has attempted to extend the use of information and communication technologies within local government. In this paper we present a model facilitating the assessment of e-government progress in local authorities, and report on the results of employing this model to conduct a two-year analysis of the electronic government strategies of the 22 unitary authorities in Wales. Although results obtained indicate slow but steady progress over time, and identify various instances of good practice, there remain a number of key concerns concerning the progress of e-government implementation.