Release date: 5 April 2022
West Sussex County Council’s covid related web content has received more than 1.3 million page views since the start of the pandemic.
It’s a continuation of an upward trend of residents using the county council’s digital services. Last year, more than 60,000 online forms were submitted to council services and there was a 20% increase in website pageviews from 2020 to 2021.
These included applying for a van, pickup and trailer waste permit, contacting the highways team, applying to move a school place and applying for free childcare.
The most popular pages on the website include job searches, schools’ information, library services, applying for bus passes and information on waste and recycling.
Steve Waight, Cabinet Member for Support Services and Economic Development said: “Our website includes 2,000 pages of information and is managed by our Online Service Delivery Team who regularly review content to ensure it is focused on the needs of our residents.
“The website works on a variety of devices including desktop, computers, laptops and mobile phones and this enables customers to find what they are after and complete their task online without needing to call or visit the council in person.
“With the county council’s ambition to deliver 60% to 80% of customer contact online, it is paramount that our website works for everyone. With 1 in 5 people in the UK having a long-term illness, impairment or disability we’ve made it a priority to ensure our website is accessible to all and this is why it was recently awarded a Shaw Trust Accessibility Accreditation and we are currently the only county council to hold an active accreditation.
“The accreditation means that the website has been tested by people with a wide range of disabilities, restricted mobility or other impairments and found to be accessible.”
For more information and to see the accessibility statement, please visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/accessibility.
