Archived press release

Date Published: 09/04/08

Aylesbury Vale District Council has unveiled its new-look website – giving residents and businesses greater access to information and services.

The redesigned site at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk has a bright new look, extra features and more chances for visitors to interact with the council. There is also a much clearer layout and an improved search engine to help people get the information they need as quickly and simply as possible.
The council decided to re-design its website to make navigating its pages easier for visitors, and to provide residents with new ways of accessing council services online.
Visitors to the site can now configure it to meet their individual needs with respect to text size, colour and background contrast. The site has also been designed to make it accessible to those who do not use a mouse, or who use assistive technologies such as text readers.
People will find a wealth of information about the council and the services it provides, plus information on local councillors, in a very easy to use and read format.
There are a number of dedicated officers in the council with the ability to update or add information to the site. This will enable the council to make sure the site is constantly up to date.
As well as providing information on council services, there are now more opportunities for users to interact with the site. The council will be able to hold online polls and consultations, and customers will be able to complete forms online.
There are also quick links to the increasing number of ‘do it online’ services offered by the council – such as paying council tax, viewing planning applications and reporting graffiti, flytipping and abandoned vehicles. The pages showing when refuse and recycling collections are made in every area of the Vale have also been improved.
The launch of the new-look website is by no means the end to the online improvements. Services which will be added to the site over the coming months include a new booking system for children’s holiday activities and downloadable sound and film clips.
Councillor Margaret Morgan-Owen, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “A lot of work has gone into redesigning the new website and we hope the local community will find it much more user friendly. The fact that people can now access vital services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is tremendous and I look forward to further improvements being made to the site in the future.”
AVDC will be holding an official launch event for their new-look website in Market Square, Aylesbury, on Thursday 10 April between 12.30pm and 1pm. There will be a tightrope walker promoting the web address and council officers will be handing out leaflets and fridge magnets that give customers information about what services are available online.