UK's South Somerset District Council Launches Improved Local Interactive TV Service

The UK's South Somerset District Council has launched a revamped version of the Looking Local interactive TV service which allows digital TV viewers to, among other things, access information on local government issues; search a real-time national jobs database; find out about upcoming youth, play and sporting events; report problems such as illegal dumping; and book a doctor's appointment directly through their TV set, local newspaper, the Yeovil Express, reports.

Looking Local is the current branding for what was formerly called DigiTV, a service that is owned and operated by Kirklees Council (it was originally sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's e-Gov program), that has been implemented by 80 local authorities around the UK, and that has partnerships in place with such national organizations as Jobcentre Plus and Transport Direct. The service, which is also available via mobile, is designed to make it easier for citizens--particularly citizens without Internet connectivity, who might nevertheless have access to digital TV--to access information on local government services and other local information. "We felt that now would be a good time to expand the services offered on our DigiTV site," Dawn Haydon, the South Somerset District Council's communications officer, said in a prepared statement. "People can use their remote control or their mobile phone to go to South Somerset's 'Looking Local' site, find out answers to popular questions such as what needs planning permission and how to apply for benefits, request for leaflets to be sent to their home address and search for local bus times or job vacancies. We have also added a 'what's on' and leisure section. What's even better is that the job section is maintained by Jobcentre Plus so people can see new jobs as and when they become available without delay." Added Tim Carroll, leader of the South Somerset District Council: "The idea of the DigiTV site is to make our services available to as many people as possible in the easiest ways possible, especially to those who may not have a computer. Having basic information on what we do for the public at the press of a button is an excellent service and it works well. I am confident that the site is making a real difference to those who have discovered it. We have processed a number of requests so far that have come from the site, and the system has run smoothly. In this rural area of the country, it is even more important that we as the district council focus on reaching people in different ways. Research has also showed that those who do have PC's still use DigiTV as it often means the same tasks can be done but without having to fire up the computer and connect. The DigiTV service provides new opportunities for people to get in touch."

The new Looking Local service replaces a version of the service with fewer features that South Somerset District Council says generated around 8,000 hits last year. It is available on the Sky satellite-TV platform (by pressing the "Interactive" button, selecting the Miniweb-powered "TV Keys" option, typing in "LOCAL" or "56225," and then selecting the "South West" region), as well as on Virgin Media (cable), Freesat (satellite), BT Vision (IPTV) and connected Freeview TV's (hybrid DTT/IP).