Monitor Local Governments

Every year, in the months of May and June, Indigov investigates all 327 websites of the Flemish and Brussels towns and municipalities. These websites are analysed according to a standardised method. The websites are screened according to 185 descriptive and substantive criteria. Seven basic indexes are measured according to these criteria.

For each index, the scores of the towns and municipalities are calculated. These scores are then converted into a percentage by taking the average score of all municipalities on a certain index and equating it with 100. A municipality with a quotient higher than 100 will thus score better than average, while a municipality with a quotient lower than 100 will score less than average. On the basis of these scores, lists are made for each index while a rough score and list is also made of the municipal sites in Flanders and Brussels.

The 7 indexes are:

• Usability: assesses a number of basic indicators relating to user support (navigation structure, search functions, accessibility, etc.).
• eAdministration: this index measures the level of municipal administrative information provision. This includes contact information (address, telephone number, etc.) and a description of the services provided (product catalogue, job descriptions, etc.).
• eCommunity: this index assesses the degree to which the municipal website focuses on the (local) world outside town and town hall.
• eDemocracy: this index assesses to what extent municipal websites provide for informative and participative aspects that (may) work on local, representative democracy.
• Interactivity: this index assesses the electronic interactivity between members of the public and the administration and measures the availability on municipal websites of e-mail addresses and on-line contact forms for electronic communication with administration and government.
• eDesk: this index assesses the availability  and content  of the e-desks on the municipal websites as well as their performance.
• ePrivacy: this index assesses the way municipal websites handle the privacy legislation and evaluates their correct application.

Using these 7 indexes, a top 10 of the best performing municipalities is compiled and the best practices explained.
The monitor has been designed from a “benchmark” perspective, which means that it is an ideal tool for both policymakers and administration for evaluating and improving their own websites.