BASINGSTOKE councillors could soon be given their own websites as part of a scheme to allow residents more information about what their elected representatives are up to.

The plan is part of a move towards increased use of the internet and electronic government.

Councillors were given a presentation on the options for websites last week.

And the decision on whether to go ahead will be taken by the council leader, Cllr Brian Gurden, within the next three weeks.

If approved, the councillors' websites will be accessible through the main borough council website.

Cllr Gurden said: "Councillors have to live in the 21st century. But the problem with websites is how much do you want to do with them?

"Councillors vary from boffins to the computer-illiterate. I cannot see many members using a website too soon, but some will. We think it is a good idea and probably, eventually, an essential idea."

Cllr Gurden added that guidelines need to be established so that the websites are not used for overtly party political purposes.

He added that one good example of the council's innovative use of computers in related areas has been the establishment of a contact centre, which now allows many council experts to get on with their work, rather than answering routine queries from the public.

The queries are answered by other staff using new software. Dorcas Bunton, corporate director at the council, said the Government wants all councils to give their councillors websites.

She said that discussions on the topic have been going on with the political groups at Basingstoke for some time.

She said: "Should they the websites be approved, the facility is likely to be available to members before the new year.

"Until such time as the decision is made, it is difficult to detail exactly what the content would be - but it will contain a mix of personal information, ward information and council information.

"It would be up to the individual councillor to decide what is of interest, and relevant, to their constituents.

"There will also be a facility for councillors to link to external sites."