The Government Connect project is to be given a higher profile and new leadership to capitalise on its successful first stage, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has revealed. 

The national project to create secure local authority IT communications will now be owned by the North West e-Government Group (NWeGG), a partnership of all the local authorities in the north-west of England, and recieve more involvement from central government departments.

Bolton Council has led the Government Connect project through its development phase, creating a number of new systems for secure local authority communication of data and email, as well as single sign-on for citizens.

Local e-government minister Jim Fitzpatrick says the move is designed to giveGovernment Connect pa more regional angle and a higher profile.

'The project is now entering a new and exciting phase and we have agreed with all parties that it makes sense to increase its profile with NWeGG leading to develop a regional dimension,' he said. 

Janet Callender, the chair of the NWeGG says the transfer of Government Connect offers it the platform to build a generic solution for all of local government.

'We are thrilled to have been given the chance to take Government Connect to the next level and will ensure that the emerging offering will be relevant to and affordable by all local authorities,' she said.

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