When Clear Policies Protect Councils: A Review Breakdown
At Vision ICT, we take immense pride in the work we do, particularly with community and parish councils. Our mission is to provide secure, reliable, and professional services that help councils maintain an effective digital presence. Occasionally, however, feedback comes in the form of a critical review, like this recent 1-star review:
“As a member of the public, I have asked for updates to the community council website for the last 2 years and offered to help to make it compliant. The website is non-compliant with many failed links and a terrible reflection on not only the Chair and 2 Clerks, who have refused to update it, but also on the Vision ICT management who pride themselves on providing a specialised service to community and parish councils.
All the agendas, contact details and minutes which show that the council has resolved to give access to the newly formed IT committee have been provided to Vision ICT. With the Clerk having resigned, Vision ICT will only provide the login details to the Chair and have refused again to give access to the appointed IT committee, but have taken the money for a service clearly not provided over the past 2 years.
If I were a Clerk, would I use them to make my council compliant? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!”
At first glance, this might appear to reflect poorly on us, but we believe this review actually highlights the strengths of our policies and processes:
Maintaining Security and Clear Communication
When councils face internal challenges, such as the resignation of a Clerk or communication breakdowns, it’s vital that we provide stability and clarity. Our policy is to work directly with the Chair in these situations. This approach ensures:
- Data Security: We safeguard website access and sensitive information by limiting login credentials to authorised individuals, such as the Chair.
- Continuity: By focusing communication through the Chair, we reduce the risk of confusion and conflicting instructions.
- Clarity Within the Council: It is then up to the Chair to disseminate information to other council members as they see fit, ensuring a structured flow of communication.
While this policy may sometimes be misunderstood, it’s designed to protect the council and ensure a smooth transition during challenging times.
Working with Councils Through Challenges
We understand that councils occasionally experience periods of change or disagreement. In this case, we adhered to our policies, refusing to provide login credentials to individuals who were not officially authorised by the council. While this may have caused frustration, it was the right decision to uphold the integrity of the council’s website and data.
A Commitment to Collaboration
Despite the challenges described in the review, we remain committed to assisting councils with website updates, compliance, and any other needs. When proper authorisation and permissions are provided, we are always ready to step in and support councils with a professional and secure approach.
Why This is a 5-Star Policy
The very concerns raised in this review reinforce why our policies exist. By prioritising security, clarity, and accountability, we help councils navigate transitional periods without compromising their digital presence.
If your council is facing similar challenges, we encourage you to contact us to learn how we can help. We’ll work directly with authorised individuals to ensure your website remains compliant, accessible, and effective for your community.
At Vision ICT, we see reviews like this not as criticisms but as opportunities to show why our approach works – and why it’s worth five stars.
