19 March 2004
Local e-government minister Phil Hope has awarded money to 34 councils' projects in the first round of bids to the £14m innovation fund.
Winners include a virtual tour of vacant council houses, use of text messaging to improve access to services for rural residents and measures to help elderly people use electronic services.
Westminster City Council gained the largest award at £500,000.
A second round of bids will be invited in September. Hope said: 'The innovation, creativity and cutting-edge nature of these winning projects is encouraging and demonstrates how e-government can be a driving force for real change in people's lives.'
PFmar2004
