Websites for Parish & Town Councils
We provide a purpose-built WCAG 2.1 AA-rated accessible website package for parish & town councils that includes a stylish, mobile-friendly website based on a proven, WCAG-compliant framework, along with training on how to manage the website.
Easy-to-use and comprehensive functionality is included, including agenda and minutes downloads, meeting calendars, news, venues, events, councillor / staff profiles, A-Z directory and much more.
Accessible Websites for Parish & Town Councils
Since September 2020, all public bodies must have a website that complies with WCAG 2.1 AA rating so that it meets Accessibility Guidelines as set in the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility regulations.
WCAG (Website Content Accessibility Guidelines) is measured in 3 ratings – A, AA & AAA. The Government require public body websites to meet AA rating as a minimum standard. You can read this requirement here on the GDAS website.
We provide a WCAG 2.1 AA rated website package that includes a stylish, mobile-friendly website based on a proven, WCAG-compliant framework, along with training on how to manage the website.
Website Package Includes
WCAG2.1 AA rated website
Ongoing WCAG monitoring
Transparency Code capability
Proven functionality & features
Modern mobile responsive design
Many different design options
Fast to setup up & manage
Support & training
Many WCAG-Compliant Design Options
Easy-to-use functionality for agenda and minutes downloads, meeting calendars, news, venues, events, councillor / staff profiles, A-Z directory and much more is all included.
Once live, there is the option of quarterly WCAG 2.1 AA scan reports that highlight any content you’ve added that may fall out of compliance during the course of the year. Also included is website hosting, technical support & maintenance.
Comprehensive Support
Learn how to create, control and update your WCAG compliant website using our comprehensive set of How-To videos.
If you can’t find a video that explains what you’re trying to achieve, or if you’re struggling – our support team are available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
What You Get
A WCAG 2.1 AA rated compliant website built on WordPress.
Transparency Code capability.
Stylish, flexible design.
A fully mobile-friendly website.
Tools to edit and add new content to the website yourself.
Thorough training to get you started.
Website accessibility statements guidance.
A quarterly WCAG2.1 AA compliance scan with reports.
SSL-protected website hosting on our UK servers.
Automated full backups every 12 hours.
We’ll manage all software updates so you don’t have to.
We will ensure your website remains GDPR compliant.
Optional GDPR-compliant email, should you need it.
We will manage your domain name, should you need it.
We’re JISC-approved to work on .gov domains.
We’re Cyber Essentials certificated.
We’re Certified Crown Suppliers.
On-going support – email, online or phone.
All our team are UK-based.
Discounts for SLCC members.
See Our Live Council Websites
Pricing
|
Smaller councils
(suitable for annual precept budget up to £100k)
|
Larger councils
(suitable for annual precept budget over £100k)
|
|---|---|
| One-off set up: £800 + VAT | One-off set up: £1075 + VAT |
| Annual hosting & support: £199 + VAT | Annual hosting & support: £299 + VAT |
| Total: £999 + VAT | Total: £1,374 + VAT |
| Optional WCAG Monitoring: | Optional WCAG Monitoring: |
| + Quarterly WCAG compliance reports: £299 + VAT | + Quarterly WCAG compliance reports: £299 + VAT |
| Optional Planning Portal integration: | Optional Planning Portal integration: |
| + with Open Data format Planning Portals: £50 + VAT per year | + with Open Data format Planning Portals: £50 + VAT per year |
| Optional Extra Support: | Optional Extra Support: |
| + Extended annual support package: £300 + VAT | + Extended annual support package: £720 + VAT |
| + Transfer of existing website content to new site charged at £25 + VAT per hour |
+ Transfer of existing website content to new site charged at £25 + VAT per hour |
| + In-person training – half day session at £199 + VAT* | + In-person training – half day session at £199 + VAT* |
| Other Optional Extras: | Other Optional Extras: |
| + Email: Set up £200 + VAT then £10 + VAT per mailbox | + Email: Set up £200 + VAT (up to 20 mailboxes) then £10 + VAT per mailbox |
| + Domain registration: .gov = £100 + VAT per year, .com, org, .co.uk or .org.uk = £30 + VAT per year | + Domain registration: .gov = £100 + VAT per year, .com, org, .co.uk or .org.uk = £30 + VAT per year |
| Example costing: | Example costing: |
| Year 1 total set up and running cost (with hosting) £999 + VAT Year 1 total set up and running cost (with 1/4ly WCAG reports & hosting) £1,298 + VAT |
Year 1 total set up and running cost (with hosting) £1,374 + VAT Year 1 total set up and running cost (with 1/4ly WCAG reports & hosting) £1,673 + VAT |
| Year 2 total cost (with hosting) £199 + VAT Year 2 total cost (with 1/4ly WCAG reports & hosting) £498 + VAT |
Year 2 total cost (with hosting) £299 + VAT Year 2 total cost (with 1/4ly WCAG reports & hosting) £598 + VAT |
| (+ optional extended support, domain registration fees and email services) | (+ optional extended support, domain registration fees and email services) |
| 2-year fixed price guarantee. | 2-year fixed price guarantee. |
* You are welcome to arrange a shared session with other public bodies, and share the cost
Ask A Question or Arrange A Demo
Who are Aubergine?
Established in 2002, Aubergine’s management team have over 30 years’ experience in website design and coding. We are an 11-strong team of designers and developers based in Leighton Buzzard. We’ve worked with organisations such as The UN, GambleAware, The Mayor’s Fund For London and the Society for Local Council Clerks, and councils of varying sizes from Watford Borough Council to Eaton Bray Parish Council.
We are Cyber Essentials certified, JISC authorised to manage all .gov, .mod, .nhs & .sch and Authority related domains, and we are official Google Partners.
FAQs
Q: Do I Need A Compliant Website?
A: All parish, town, borough and city councils need a compliant WCAG 2.1 AA rated website by September 23rd, 2020.
Q: Can We Convert Our Existing Website?
A: Technically, yes – but the time required to do this would probably cost more than getting a new site that’s based on an already-compliant framework.
Q: Can I Keep My Existing Domain Name / Website Address For A New Site?
A: Yes. You could also choose to move to a .gov.uk web address, and redirect your old site to this.
Q: What Happens To Our Email?
A: If your email is currently provided by a GDPR-compliant service, it can remain there. If it’s hosted on your current web server, it probably isn’t GDPR compliant and you’ll need to move it. Aubergine can help you do that.
Q: What Is The Package Commitment Length?
A: It is an annual service.
Q: Can I Host The Package Website Elsewhere?
A: No. The framework and servers are configured to be WCAG 2.1 AA compliant and can’t be hosted on a different server.
Q: What Is An SSL?
A: SSL stands for “secure sockets layer” and is a form of security for websites that encrypts data going between a user’s browser and the website server. For GDPR compliance, any website with a contact form should have an SSL.
Q: Are There Any Other Designs?
A: The framework has lots of different design elements that you can place where you want. No two package websites will look the same. Here’s a short video showing how you can design your website to your council’s needs
Q: What If Our Website Links To Another That Has Non-Compliant Content (eg Facebook)?
A: You are not responsible for another party’s website. If you link to another public body website, it is their responsibility to make sure it complies.
Q: Can I Have Some Extra Features?
A: The package includes all the features a council would need. Extra functionality and upgrades to the framework will continually be added (without extra cost) – just let Aubergine know what you want to see added.
Q: Do I have to have a .gov.uk domain name?
If you are a parish council, you are not required to have a .gov.uk domain name. It is preferable to provide assurance to your visitors but not a necessity. You can operate from a .org.uk or similar TLDs (Top Level Domains). However, if you are a town, borough or city council, you should be using a .gov.uk domain. The Government’s Digital Service GDS) provide guidance on eligibility for use of a .gov.uk domain. Using a .gov.uk domain comes with responsibilities as set out in the guidance, one of which will require you to operate an email service for the domain for official verification and communication purposes. As a minimum, you will require [email protected] (or similar address). We recommend that this email service be provided by a GDPR compliant provider, such as Microsoft’s O365. We can assist in this set up.
We don't use plugins or widgets
Meeting accessibility is not about simply installing a quick and cheap (or free) plugin or widget. These can only address the very surface visual aspects of accessibility, and not very well. And the very fact that these tools require the user to interact and enable them to get the website usable for them means they fail at the first. Moreover, website accessibility is about removing barriers for the user, not adding them.
Our WCAG 2.1AA website package is built from the ground-up at code level. It automatically works with those users who rely in assistive technology so they don’t need to do anything for the website to work for them. You can read more here about why using plugins and widgets is will still give you an accessibility problem.