b. FAQs

We have put together some frequently asked questions below and will continue to add to this information to help parishes in Suffolk below.  In addition you can download this document with FAQs (this link will take you to a shared Google drive and a live document which is being kept up to date) which will help support a business case/report when a council is considering these matters.  In addition, we have also started to map questions coming through to SALC below: 

• What are the likely ongoing costs that my council will have to cover?

• Are there local website providers who can help my council with this?

• What are the known barriers for councils making the move to a .gov.uk domain?

• What does current best practice say and where does it say it?

Councils using the SALC internal audit service will notice that auditors make reference to the use of personal email addresses and reference good practice.  Whilst it is not a legal requirement for councils to have a .gov.uk domain the latest version of the Practitioner's Guide (2024) contains stronger language around the merits of moving with a view to encouraging councils to take this step.   See information and links below.

This latest version contains stronger language around the merits of moving to a .gov.uk domain.  The aim is to encourage local councils to consider this move.    In particular at 5.2.10 of the Guide stating "all parish, town and community councils are eligible to use, and are advised to use, a .gov.uk domain for their websites and email communications..."

• Use this link to visit the SAAA website and the legislation and guidance page to access a copy of the Guide

• Can we keep our existing service providers?

• What about website accessibility requirements?

• Is a .gov.uk domain mandatory?

Click on this link to view information provided by the Parish Council domain Helper Service