RichardS

I received an email today telling me that ICELE (www.icele.org) is scheduled for closure by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). ICELE is the operator of Bloginabox/ReadMyDay, the blogging platform that we are all using.

The Minister at DCLG, Parmjit Dhanda MP, has confirmed in writing to ICELE that funding for the centre will no longer be available and hence the centre has closed with effect from 30th June 2008. Between now and the end of July, DCLG are conducting a review of the existing tools and products managed by ICELE, including Bloginabox. The Minister has given a commitment that all existing platforms, tools, products and directories provided by ICELE will be maintained during the review period and advice and assistance to existing users from ICELE staff will continue in this interim period, for which DCLG has provided additional funding.

The email from ICELE encourages Bloginabox users to send comments about this decision and the future of the tool to Parmjit Dhanda MP, Minister for Local eDemocracy.

 I am not a frequent blogger, but this is a great site and it would be a backward step if it ended.