Kent Connects IT Partnership Shortlisted for National Awards

Kent Connects, Kent’s lead IT partnership, has been shortlisted in the e-Government National Awards 2008 for its teamwork in delivering effective public services.   

The Kent Connects partnership is a powerful alliance of 16 public service providers: Kent and Medway local authorities, Kent Police and Kent Fire and Rescue.  With IT revenue expenditure exceeding £60M per year, its role is to tackle the barriers to the joining up and sharing of public services through the application of leading-edge technology. 

Through its collaborative work, Kent & Medway’s ICT infrastructure is now bigger, more secure, more joined up and cheaper to run.  Public services are more accessible and efficient, and its workforce more flexible and collaborative.  ICT staff are also working to higher professional standards.  

The e-Government National Awards 2008 highlight the UK's most effective public services which improve citizen and business transaction with councils, central government departments and other public sector organisations.  588 nominations were received for the Awards, with Kent Connects chosen as one of six finalists in the Local e-Government Team Excellence category. 
Supporting the Awards are the Government Chief Information Officer (Cabinet Office), the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) and the Society of It Management (SOCITM).  The Awards are sponsored by KPMG, Directgov, O2 and Jadu.

Christopher Histed, founder of the e-Government National Awards and CEO of organiser PublicTechnology.net says: "The Awards are a yardstick for UK excellence in innovative government services, including those enabling local communities to transact with their councils." 

Earlier this year Kent Connects was runner up in the Government Computing’s Innovation Awards and it has recently been announced as a finalist in the British Computing Awards.  Debbie Wisdom, Kent Connects Strategic Director, is delighted at the accolades for the partnership: “Our Partners’ ICT Professionals work tremendously hard behind the scenes, transforming the ways in which the general public can access public services. This latest announcement further celebrates their dedication, teamwork and achievements.”
The winners will be announced on 20th January 2009.