Westminster City Council launches new services platform

Westminster City Council has launched today a new online portal which allows residents of the London borough to access local services through a one-stop digital platform.

MyWestminster portal has been rolled out in conjunction with a digital card that locals can download into a smartphone’s Apple Wallet or Google Pay to access services across the borough.

In its first stage, the digital card provides access to Westminster’s libraries and the City Save scheme: a free membership scheme for Westminster residents offering local discounts. The Council says that other services, such as leisure centres, will be added to MyWestminster in the coming months.

“The new MyWestminster portal is a key example of how we plan to make Westminster a world-leading smart city with people at its heart and marks a key first step in our digital journey,” said Councillor Paul Swaddle, Cabinet Member for Finance and Smart City at Westminster City Council.

“The portal makes accessing services simpler and more intuitive, and our digital card will offer a technology-driven, environmentally-friendly experience sitting alongside other cards in your Apple or Google Pay wallet”.

Residents can find out how to sign up for a MyWestminster account and download the digital card through a video guide available on the Council's website. Workshops providing training on how to use the platform will be made available across the borough in partnership with libraries. 

The local authority is asking residents to share their feedback on the platform, including which services they would like to see added next and how these can be best improved.

“We’re delighted to offer new experiences through the MyWestminster portal, which aims to make the lives of Westminster’s residents easier and better connected,” said Sarah Williams, Head of Customer Experience and Digital at Westminster City Council.

“Local services are at the heart of Westminster City Council and, by improving digital access across our Borough, we expect more people to benefit. We are passionate about tackling digital exclusion and want to reassure those who are less confident with the internet that we will be providing workshops to help them adjust.

“MyWestminster is just the start of our digital journey and I look forward to working with our teams to make further services accessible for all.”

MyWestminster portal and its digital card are the latest launch of the Smart City for All initiative, a programme by Westminster City Council that aims to use technology within the council for smarter and more inclusive services for the borough’s residents, businesses and visitors. 

Aruj Haider, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer said: “For us, a truly smart city puts the needs of its residents at the heart of how services are designed – the launch of the MyWestminster portal and card puts this strategy into action. As we add services to our digital card, we hope our city will become even be more accessible for the benefit of all.

“We are excited to open up the portal to our residents, as a vital part of our Smart City for All ambition. Intuitive and easy-to-use, it will enable residents to navigate a range of services with confidence and ease.”

(Image: Westminster City Council.)