Vision ICT Ltd is now recognised as the most experienced website design agency working within the local council sector, proudly working with over 700 parish, community and town councils.
Whether you represent a small parish council or a larger town council, having a well-designed, responsive, and informative website is essential to engage with constituents and ensure transparency.
We are delighted to have established close working relationships with the national bodies, OVW, NALC and CALCs and the SLCC. Our expertise in this sector often leads us to be asked to make presentations at County and National level.
We are experts in our field
Accessibility
The new WCAG 2.1 guidelines on the accessibility requirements for council websites are causing a lot of worry and concern for local councils at the moment. We have been asked to make presentations to several CALCs and will be continuing to do this in the future. As you are aware accessibility is a complex topic and the language used and the documentation is not understandable to many clerks and councillors. Through working with our 700 clients we are developing considerable expertise in this area.
Security
With the introduction of GDPR in 2018 there arose a wealth of questions for councils around the issue of IT Security. Due to our experience in this field we are continually asked to make presentations to CALCs and also at a NALC National Conference on this topic. More importantly in our daily work with clients we answer questions and advise in this area. It is access to this level of support that our clients find so helpful.
Foundations of our Websites
Our websites are designed to empower your council with the essential tools and features needed for effective communication and engagement.
Custom Design
We create visually appealing and functional websites that embody your council’s identity and fulfil your specific needs.
User-Friendly CMS
Our intuitive CMS makes content management simple, enabling effortless updates and community
engagement.
Accessibility Compliance
We ensure your website meets all accessibility standards, making it inclusive and easy for all users to navigate.
Integrated Features
From social media links to event management and online booking systems, we equip your site with tools to enhance interaction and accessibility
Additional website features that can be provided
Bespoke design
Throughout the new website design process, you’ll collaborate with a dedicated project manager who will facilitate clear communication between you and our experienced team. We’ll craft a customised website that perfectly reflects your council’s unique identity and vision, ensuring online representation that aligns with your requirements and needs.
Unlimited file and picture storage
Enjoy the convenience of generous storage capacity, providing ample room to organise and store your council’s important documents and images for easy access and seamless organisation.
Website search facility
Our fast and reliable search function enhances the user experience, making it effortless for visitors to promptly find the information they need, even on websites with extensive pages and substantial content.
Site map
Enhance website navigation with a clear and structured site map, enabling users to explore all sections of your site easily. A sitemap benefits search engines in discovering URLs (URL is the address used to locate resources, such as websites, web pages, files, and other resources, on the internet) on your site, contributing to improved visibility.
Community database
Effortlessly gather and categorise diverse organisations, enabling public easy access to essential information.
Events calendar
Keep your community well-informed about local events with our interactive events calendar, where all relevant details are conveniently available in one place. Populating the calendar is quick and easy, ensuring your community never misses important dates.
Galleries and carousels
Engage your audience with our attractive Galleries & Carousels features. Carousel feature, seamlessly rotating dynamic content that showcases multiple images on your home page. In addition, our Photo Galleries feature offers a centralised platform for councils to elegantly display area photos and events, providing a compelling visual experience for visitors.
Private members areas
To ensure utmost confidentiality and streamlined communication, some councils opt for a separate private website area. Here, you can share essential council documents, such as training files for councillors or not yet approved minutes, exclusively with council members, maintaining privacy and security.
gov.uk, gov.wales/llyw.cymru domain name
As a testament to our commitment to professionalism and authenticity, we offer the option to secure a gov.uk or gov.wales/ llyw.cymru domain name for your council’s website. Choosing a government recognised domain name instils trust and credibility, distinguishing your council as an official and reliable authority for your community.
Latest news page and feed
Effortlessly input and manage news items in one place. Display them in a dedicated news section and on the main page in the Recent News component, keeping your community informed and engaged.
Contact us page
Our Contact Us page features readily accessible contact information and a simple contact us form for swift communication. On the page you can also have a user friendly Google map, along with a designated space to share essential clerks’ details.
Social media links
Stay connected effortlessly by linking your social media accounts, including Facebook, X, and more. You can display recent posts as a social media feed or showcase simple logos on the menu bar. Whatever your preference, this feature ensures seamless updates and enhances engagement with your community.
SSL Certificate
By displaying the padlock next to your council’s name, visitors may feel more secure, as it signals that your website is encrypted and protected, fostering trust and confidence in their online interactions with your council.
GDPR compliant
Ensure data protection compliance, safeguarding the privacy and rights of your website users. We provide preset templates for essential documents, including Privacy Policy, Privacy Statement, and Accessibility Statement.
Admin panel for content editing
Allows the clerk to take control of the website’s content with an intuitive admin panel. This simple tool allows the clerk to easily edit and update information as needed, ensuring that council website stays current and relevant to your community’s needs.
Google Analytics
Enabling data-driven decisions by tracking website traffic and user behaviour, including the identification of frequently visited pages and quick exits. This tool can easily assists clerks in optimising the council website, ensuring it delivers maximum benefits to members of the public.
Costs at a glance and optional extras
Small Parish Councils
| Precept below £25k |
| Set up cost up to £1200 |
| Annual Hosting & Support £175 (from year 2) |
Parish Councils
| Precept £25k – £100k |
| Set up cost up to £2000 |
| Annual Hosting & Support £225 – £275 (from year 2) |
Large Parish & Town Councils
| Precept over £100k |
| Set up cost over £2000 |
| Annual Hosting & Support £325 (from year 2) |
Optional Extras
| Domain registration: .gov = £125 for the first 2 years and £65 every 2 years thereafter |
| Annual website MOT/WCAG compliance check and report: £145 (annual fee) |
| Councillor members area: set up of a secure portal for councillors with individual logins £75 (one off fee) |
| Components: Carousel/Planning/TBC/TBC £75 (one off fee) |
| Extra Hand – Support in uploading documents to your site and keeping it up to date for you. |
| Training (zoom, telephone, teams): £75 |
| Admin support per hour: £30 per hour |
| Graphic Design: one off charge per hour: £75 |
| Email accounts: £20 per account per year |
| SSL Certificate: £125 for the first year and £50 annually from year 2 |
All prices are ex VAT
In recognition of the varying needs of different types of councils, we have designed four specialised website packages: Transparency, Small Parish Council, Parish Council, and Large Council.
