A web-based information sharing medium, which also includes users the ability to network and access information about the availability training, earned Kent Connects the position of runner up in the award for ‘Best Project, Government to Government’. The Government Computing 2008 innovation awards recognise achievement in delivering information services to citizens, business and the public sector.

The Kent Connects portal was set up to offer secure storage of shared documents for public service providers, including all Kent and Medway authorities, Kent Police and Kent Fire Service. 

The portal also includes a secure discussion forum.  The advantage over email is that members can log in at any time to see the full discussion.  The forum allows members to exchange ideas and ask for information.  It is especially useful for discussing IT problems, where tapping into the knowledge of peers is like having a virtual IT consultancy on hand.

Other benefits include saving the amount of time spent in meetings which can now be carried out online.  That means that if someone is unable to attend a meeting they can view the virtual meeting via the portal at a later date.

Debbie Wisdom, Kent Connects’ Strategic Director said: ‘This is a fantastic endorsement of what the Kent Connects partnership has achieved.  The Partnership Portal was originally developed for our own purposes to support joint working and networking.  Within less than a year however, it’s been successfully rolled out to seventeen other inter-authority partnerships and has potential for partnerships everywhere, at minimal cost.’

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