11 February 2008, 08/34
The two Bills in conversation
What does Sir Bill Taylor, former Leader of Blackburn with
Darwen Unitary Authority, have in common with Bill Taylor, Chief
Executive of West Lancashire District Council?
Obviously the name - but more than that, an overwhelming shared
drive to achieve excellence in public services, coupled with a real
passion for good communication. More specifically, both share an
interest in harnessing emerging technology to enhance the way in
which local government communicates with those it seeks to
serve.
For a number of years, Sir Bill has produced a weblog, working with
the Lancashire Telegraph. Sir Bill talks on a range of topics
relevant to the people of Lancashire.
West Lancashire's Bill Taylor uses two forms of blogging. The first
is a weekly videoblog in the form of a newsletter for council
members and staff and this uses the Council's intranet as its
platform. The second format, again on a weekly basis, is a video
which is placed on the Council's website and seeks as its market
the local community and others interested in West Lancashire.
Both Bills have experimented with a joint webcast looking, on this
occasion, at regeneration in West Lancs and this can be viewed on
the Council's website www.westlancsdc.gov.uk
Sir Bill said: "West Lancs District Council has a terrific
reputation as a provider of quality services and I was particularly
impressed with the high standard of the Council's website. Clearly
my namesake's videoblog is highly innovative and I thought it would
push the boundaries of innovation even further forward for us to
have a go at a joint project."
West Lancashire's Bill Taylor said: "I am really flattered to hear
such positive comments about the Council from Sir Bill - he should
know what he is talking about as he has many years' experience,
both as a Council officer and a Council Leader."
This latest experiment in video technology, as well as appearing on
our webcast page will also appear on
localgov.co.uk, the website of the national local government
magazine Municipal Journal
Related information
> Webcasts