Currently the UK is on a par with the USA and Canada and the first targets have been achieved. Best practice material is being produced and there is a local partnership fund to assist implementation. There are also partners who help to spread the word and there will be more advertising to launch services on the 1st April 2001. Teddington Cheese has improved turnover through an on-line presence which put them in a global marketplace but it also helps increase local trade. London is leading the UK and businesses are on-line.
Connectivity is the key to success.
This is a big challenge and we must make sure that we do not obtain electronic silos. Service providers should not expect enquirers to solve the providers problems and contact must be easier. There must be a consistency in the level of services for everywhere in London which is a huge challenge as citizens travel across boundaries all the time. There are examples of good practice and we must share this by improving communication. There is a need for making it easy for people to participate, volunteer, be consulted and a recent ISB aim to achieve this across boundaries.