Havering Council Website Redesign: Embracing Diversity with a Community-Centric Digital Presence

The Havering Council's previous website was a utilitarian .gov portal, primarily serving as a job board with a basic list of postings. Lacking the ability to engage with the community or reflect the borough’s vibrant diversity, a complete redesign was mandated. As the project's lead Digital Solutions Architect, I orchestrated the development of a dynamic website that not only met statutory requirements but also resonated with the diverse needs of Havering's residents.

Summary

  • At a glance

    1. Problem: Havering Council’s existing website was a basic governmental job board, lacking functionality and failing to reflect the community’s diversity or engage users effectively.2. Role: As the Lead Digital Solutions Architect, I managed the complete redesign of the website, ensuring it met both community needs and regulatory accessibility standards.3. Solution: Developed a custom, responsive WordPress theme enhanced with a bespoke plugin for ATS integration and Advanced Custom Fields for dynamic content management. Emphasis was placed on AA accessibility compliance and user-centric design.4. Outcome: The new website transformed the council's digital presence, significantly increasing community engagement, simplifying content management, and ensuring high accessibility standards were met, fostering better interaction between the council and the residents of Havering.
    View final product

Case Study

  • My Role as Digital Solutions Architect

    As the lead Digital Solutions Architect for the Havering Council website redesign, I was not only responsible for overseeing the project's development but also actively involved in coding and developing the site. I personally crafted the custom WordPress theme and developed the bespoke plugin that integrates with the council’s Automated Tracking System (ATS). My role extended beyond leadership and included performing all user experience (UX) tasks—conducting research, creating wireframes, and testing the site to ensure it met the diverse needs of the community it serves. This hands-on approach allowed me to maintain a cohesive vision and high standards throughout the website’s development, ensuring a product that was both functional and user-centric.

  • Solution Conceptualisation

    The project’s vision was to transform the council's static job board into an engaging community portal that mirrored Havering’s diversity. Inspired by modern design trends and the necessity for high accessibility, I designed a user-centric interface with intuitive navigation and robust functionality.

  • Technical Framework

    We chose WordPress for its flexibility and community support, enhanced by custom PHP development and Advanced Custom Fields for dynamic content management. The integration with the council’s Automated Tracking System (ATS) was achieved through a custom plugin, ensuring efficient and accurate job listings.

  • UX Considerations

    The user experience (UX) was paramount, given the diverse audience of Havering borough. I personally handled the UX design to ensure the site was accessible to all users, complying with AA accessibility standards. The design was responsive, ensuring compatibility across all devices and providing user-friendly navigation tailored to a wide demographic.

    Low-fi wireframes

  • Design Alignment

    In collaboration with the design team, I ensured that the website’s visual identity adhered to the council’s branding and accessibility standards. Regular sessions were conducted to refine designs and ensure compliance with functional and regulatory requirements before proceeding to the development phase.

  • Development

    As the project lead and developer, I facilitated a streamlined development process through meticulous planning and direct implementation. Daily engagements with project components allowed for immediate resolution of issues and enhancements, ensuring high standards were maintained throughout.

  • Client Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

    I managed weekly meetings with Havering Council stakeholders, providing updates, receiving feedback, and aligning the project with the council’s strategic goals. These interactions were crucial for ensuring transparency and meeting the community's expectations.

Outcomes

  • Key Takeaways

    The website redesign was a significant advancement for Havering Council, delivering a modern, accessible, and functionally rich portal. This project not only met but exceeded the modern digital requirements, significantly enhancing community engagement.

    • Strategic Vision: My direct involvement in both the design and implementation phases ensured that the website was perfectly aligned with Havering’s needs.• Technical Expertise: The use of WordPress, custom PHP, and bespoke plugins provided a strong, flexible backbone for the website, facilitating easy content management and robust site functionality.• Collaborative Leadership: My hands-on approach in every step—from initial concept through to final testing and stakeholder engagement—was key to the project’s success.The new website has not only revitalised the council’s online presence but also fundamentally improved how it connects with and serves the community.