Introduction
Local governments play a pivotal role in keeping communities informed, connected, and engaged. In today’s digital age, an effective website is the cornerstone of this communication, providing residents with easy access to vital information and services. Beaconsfield Town Council recognised this need and approached LemonTop Creative to develop a new, content-managed website. The goal was to create a dynamic, accessible platform that would serve as the go-to resource for residents, local businesses, and visitors alike.
This case study explores how LemonTop Creative collaborated with Beaconsfield Town Council to design and develop a modern, easy-to-manage website that strengthens community engagement and transparency.
About Beaconsfield Town Council
Beaconsfield is a thriving market town located in Buckinghamshire, England. The Town Council oversees local governance, community services, planning, events, and public amenities. They aim to maintain high standards of living, foster community spirit, and ensure residents have timely access to information about council initiatives, meetings, and local news.
Before the new website project, Beaconsfield Town Council’s existing site was outdated, lacked intuitive navigation, and was difficult for staff to update, limiting its effectiveness as a communication tool.
The Challenge
Outdated Website with Limited Functionality
The existing website had several key issues:
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Static content that was difficult to update without technical expertise.
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Poor user experience, with confusing navigation and outdated design.
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Lack of mobile responsiveness, leading to accessibility issues on smartphones and tablets.
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Insufficient information hierarchy, making it hard for users to quickly find details about council activities, events, or contacts.
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Limited engagement features to foster community interaction.
Need for a Content Management System (CMS)
Beaconsfield Town Council required a new website solution empowering their staff to:
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Easily add and update news, events, and announcements.
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Manage information about council members, mayoral activities, and local services.
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Upload documents such as meeting minutes, agendas, and policies.
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Provide clear, accessible contact details for various departments and councillors.
Serving Diverse Audiences
The site had to cater to multiple user groups including:
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Residents seeking local news, services, and council decisions.
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Businesses looking for local economic information and support.
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Visitors wanting to learn about Beaconsfield’s history, events, and amenities.
Our Approach
Discovery and Requirements Gathering
We started with in-depth consultation sessions with the council’s stakeholders to understand their goals, user needs, and pain points with the current website. This phase included:
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Interviews with council staff and members.
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Reviewing existing content and site analytics.
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Identifying priority features and content types.
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Mapping user journeys for different visitor personas.
Strategic Planning
Based on insights from discovery, we outlined a detailed project plan focusing on:
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Developing a scalable, user-friendly website with intuitive navigation.
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Implementing a robust CMS to enable efficient content updates.
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Designing a visually appealing interface reflecting Beaconsfield’s community spirit.
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Ensuring accessibility compliance (WCAG standards) to cater to all users.
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Optimising for mobile devices.
Information Architecture and Wireframing
We created an improved information architecture to organise content logically and enhance findability. Wireframes were developed to illustrate page layouts, navigation flows, and content placement. The council reviewed and approved these before moving to design.
Visual Design
Our design team crafted a fresh, inviting look that blends modern aesthetics with local character. Key visual elements included:
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Warm colour schemes inspired by Beaconsfield’s heritage.
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Clear typography for readability.
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Prominent call-to-action buttons to guide users.
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Distinct sections for mayoral updates, council news, and community events.
Development and CMS Integration
We built the website on a WordPress CMS platform, chosen for its flexibility, ease of use, and extensive plugin ecosystem. Features implemented included:
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Custom post types for news, events, councillors, and documents.
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User-friendly admin interfaces for non-technical staff.
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Search functionality enabling quick access to relevant content.
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Secure login for council members with restricted editing permissions.
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Integration of a calendar system for event management.
Accessibility and Testing
The site was tested rigorously for:
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Compatibility across browsers and devices.
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Accessibility compliance ensuring usability for users with disabilities.
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Performance optimisation to guarantee fast load times.
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Security best practices.
Training and Support
Post-launch, we conducted hands-on training sessions with council staff, equipping them to manage content confidently. Comprehensive user guides and ongoing technical support were provided to ensure smooth operations.
Features and Functionality
Dynamic News and Updates
The new website includes a dedicated news section, regularly updated with council announcements, public consultations, and local initiatives, keeping residents well informed.
Event Management
An interactive calendar displays upcoming community events, council meetings, and local festivals. Users can filter events by category and subscribe to updates.
Council and Mayor Information
Profiles of council members and the mayor are presented with photos, roles, and contact information, enhancing transparency and accessibility.
Document Repository
A well-organised document library houses meeting minutes, planning applications, policies, and reports, all downloadable for public review.
Contact Forms and Feedback Channels
Multiple contact forms allow residents to submit enquiries, report issues, or provide feedback directly through the website.
Mobile-Optimised Design
Responsive design ensures the site adapts seamlessly to any device, providing a consistent experience across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Results and Impact
Enhanced Community Engagement
Since launch, Beaconsfield Town Council’s website has become a vital communication hub, with increased traffic and user interaction. Residents appreciate the timely updates and easy access to information, strengthening trust in local governance.
Empowered Staff and Efficiency
The CMS empowers council staff to publish updates quickly without relying on technical support, saving time and resources. The streamlined content management process ensures information is always current and relevant.
Increased Accessibility
The new site’s compliance with accessibility standards ensures all community members, including those with disabilities, can access council services and information without barriers.
Positive Feedback
The council and community have provided overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the site’s usability, design, and content richness. It has improved the perception of Beaconsfield Town Council as transparent and community-focused.
Challenges and Solutions
Balancing Comprehensive Content with Usability
With diverse information to present, maintaining clear navigation was challenging. Through iterative testing and user feedback, we refined menus and content layouts to keep the site intuitive.
Ensuring Accessibility
Meeting strict accessibility guidelines required detailed design and development adjustments, including keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and colour contrast optimisation.
Staff Training
To address varied technical skills among council staff, we developed tailored training materials and provided ongoing support, facilitating smooth adoption of the CMS.
Lessons Learned
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Early and ongoing stakeholder engagement is critical for understanding needs and managing expectations.
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A well-structured information architecture forms the backbone of user-friendly websites.
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Accessibility should be integral to design, not an afterthought.
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CMS choice significantly impacts ease of content management and long-term site maintenance.
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Post-launch support ensures sustainability and continuous improvement.
Future Developments
Beaconsfield Town Council plans to further enhance the website by:
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Introducing online payment and booking functionalities for community services.
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Integrating social media feeds to boost real-time communication.
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Adding multimedia content such as video updates and virtual tours.
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Expanding community forums to increase resident engagement.
Conclusion
The Beaconsfield Town Council website project demonstrates the transformative power of user-focused design and technology in local governance. LemonTop Creative’s collaboration with the council delivered a modern, accessible, and content-managed platform that effectively serves its community.
By combining clear communication, intuitive functionality, and empowering content management, the new website strengthens the council’s connection with residents and fosters a transparent, informed, and engaged community.