Ealing has been named as a finalist for Digital Council of the Year at the national Digital Leaders 100 Awards. The nomination recognises the council’s continued work in improving online and digital services to residents.

The winner will be announced on Thursday 22 June, and local people can support the council by casting their vote online via the Digital Leaders website at www.digileaders100.com. Voting is open until 5 June 2017.

More residents are moving away from traditional points of contact and choosing to access online services via the council’s MyAccount portal. It’s a one-stop-shop service and a fast, easy way to manage everything from council tax to ebilling.

Residents have no choice as you can no longer phone and talk to a human being.

Unlike making a telephone call or waiting for an appointment, MyAccount is available 24/7. This means that residents can manage their account online, set up a direct debit, or report environmental issues at a convenient time for them.

More than 63,000 people, a third of all households in the borough, have registered for MyAccount since it was introduced just over a year ago.

By making services more accessible online, the council has also been able to save more than £200,000 in a period where it faces significant financial pressures.

Keith Townsend, executive director of environment and customer services said: "We are proud to have been shortlisted for Digital Council of the Year. It’s a great achievement to be nationally recognised for the way we are improving digital services in the borough for the benefit of residents."

"We recognised that having a clear digital strategy is vital for making savings across the council whilst maintaining the high level of services that local people expect."

"Viewing personal accounts, reporting changes and paying bills online is now normal for residents. As a result we are seeing people moving away from traditional means of contact and towards quicker, easier digital channels.” Ealing Council has partnered with leading digital technology provider Agilisys to help support the development of its services."

Steven Beard, Agilisys chief executive, said: "We’d like to congratulate everyone at Ealing Council for being shortlisted by Digital Leaders. Making the shortlist highlights the innovative ways in which Ealing Council has responded to reduced resources, significant service pressures and the need to work across organisational boundaries."

Residents can access a wide range of council services by signing up for MyAccount at www.ealing.gov.uk/signin