Website hits rise

Ryedale District Council's website, www.ryedale.gov.uk, was visited by 10,170 different web users in March, a massive increase of 1,545 from the previous month.

Each of these visitors averaged nearly two visits during the month, with an average 12 pages being viewed on each visit.

Web and content manager David Henderson said he was thrilled to see so many people using the website as a way of accessing council services.

He said: "Last month we had more than twice the number of unique visitors compared to two years ago, and we're delighted to be welcoming so many new users to the site.

"The website offers easy access to council services and we believe this is a valuable aid, especially in a diverse, rural district like Ryedale, where it is difficult for many people to access our council offices.

"The list of things you can do on the website is endless. You can submit planning applications, you can look at meetings from council meetings, you can book accommodation in the area, you can report problems such as antisocial behaviour.

"We're also looking at introducing an online mapping service, whereby people will be able to look at a map of Ryedale and zoom in on their own property, or any location, and access information such as what council tax band they are in."

He added: "I think the number of visitors is increasing because we're putting up more and more services all the time.

"It's interesting that while the number of visitors has grown rapidly, the total number of pages accessed has actually fallen by 25 per cent since this time last year, which suggests that our web users now go directly to the pages they need."

Web pages at councillor.info, where individual councillors have their own pages, also showed a record number of visitors last month.

The site had 4,366 visitors, almost three per cent higher than the previous record set in March 2006.

Mr Henderson said that feedback on the council's website was always welcome and all comments should be sent to enquiries@ryedale.gov.uk