Cheltenham Borough Council Partners Google Type Search Page, Webcam, Weather Widget and Local Maps for Local Needs!

I have been speaking to online engagement champions in several local councils for the past 2 weeks or so. One of those councils is Cheltenham Borough Council who just launched their new and improved web 2.0 website provided by Jadu’s CMS. Upon closer inspection there were alot of features that are worth mentioning and then thought, why not share it with the rest of the local council community.

• 1st feature – The Cheltenham BC Google Search Type Webpage for Cheltenham’s partner websites! This wasn’t displayed on the mainpage but a subpage with a prominent link on the main page. Brilliant 🙂 Great way to get people to go to those MICROSITES!

• 2nd feature – A collection for local maps for local peoples needs! Genius 🙂

I believe people were spending more time on the website since the redesign and on the map page as well! Click here to see the importance of mapping!

• 3rd feature: Cheltenham Webcam

The council webcam is positioned on the municipal offices looking over the promenade, the images update every 60 seconds.

• 4th feature – BBC Weather Updates and widget

Cheltenham BBC Weather Updates embedded on Cheltenham website and BBC Weather widget placed under the webcam. Clever! Checking up on accuracy of BBC weather updates without leaving your room or flipping  your shades/curtains! ;p

Overall, you would possibly discover even more stuff that might tickle your fancy. My verdict is, I like the look and feel of this website. Makes me want to stay longer and have a look around. The language used is simple and easy to understand. I understand the Jadu CMS provides a language tool that can help local councils to write in a simple and easily understood manner.

Ace! Well done CheltenhamBC. You are truly Web 2.0 enabled!

Welcome to the new generation of local council websites.

*Ooops forgot to add, Cheltenham is also publishing its councils documents on social publishing network, Issuu. You can find their profile page here http://issuu.com/cheltenhamboroughcouncil