9 January 2007

Residents can find out all about community groups and voluntary organisations - including parish councils - on the web thanks to SurreyCommunity.info, an online directory of local information.

Organisations registering with SurreyCommunity are entitled to a free website, and earlier this week, clerks and councillors from Effingham, Pirbright, Shere and Worplesdon parishes took part in special training at Guildford Borough Council to help them create and maintain their own websites.

Comments Lead Councillor for Communications, Cllr Vas Kapsalis:

“We are committed to providing online information about the council and our services on our own website and we are working with the Surrey E-Partnership to help community groups and other organisations including parish councils have their own online presence.

“The idea of creating a website from scratch can be daunting to some people - even if they have basic computer skills. With these workshops we are encouraging parish councils to create and have the skills to maintain their own effective website - making them more accessible to the public,” adds Cllr Kapsalis.

Organisations registered with SurreyCommunity.info can take part in online discussions and surveys, share information and interact with other community groups, voluntary organisations and members of the local community. For more information visit www.surreycommunity.info or contact Lucy Micheni at enquiries@SurreyCommunity.info.