Regular readers will know we don’t like reinventing the wheel. So we’re delighted that our latest project to rebuild Croydon.gov.uk is building on past successes

Everything highlighted in blue is shareable – including designs, custom modules and some configuration

A few months ago I shared an idea about re-using the website I and others had built for Brighton & Hove City Council. Countless organisations start with a clean sheet of paper without referring to others’ efforts – there has to be a better way.

Since then I’ve started working for Croydon Council on – you’ve guessed it – a new website. I floated the idea of revisiting our past work with Brighton and, lo and behold, it’s happening.

This makes me happy for a few reasons. First, it validates what we’ve done. A lot of good people put time and effort in at Brighton & Hove, and sharing it is a tribute to them.

Second, it saves both councils time and money. Croydon will get its new website far sooner. Brighton & Hove will get many new features it wouldn’t have been able to afford on its own. Residents of Brighton & Hove and Croydon will be the ultimate winners.

Our Croydon team met Brighton & Hove colleagues for the first time last week. There was a great atmosphere in the room, and we found plenty of other things that we have in common. I hope it’s the start of a wider collaboration.

Croydon.gov.uk Product Manager Tom Steel hard at work with the team